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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />48 <br /> <br />Radioactivity <br /> <br />RADIOACTIVITY Is the spontaneous decay of unstable atoms of <br />certain elements Into new and different atoms. Eventually <br />the decay process leads to the point that the materials are <br />no I anger rad i aBet i ve. Decay of a rad 1 aBet I va substance -,to a <br />nonradioactive state may take a tew minutes or mi I I ions of <br />years, depending upon the element. <br /> <br />Characteristics <br /> <br />Traces of radioactive materials naturally occur in the rocks, <br />soils, and waters of Colorado as they do throughout the <br />world. Many common rocks In Colorado, such as granite, some <br />sandstones and volcanic materIals, contain higher than <br />average amounts of radioactive minerals so that the natural <br />radiation background levels In the state are measurably <br />higher than In many other states. Some of the elements, such <br />as uran I urn, are mt ned and processed. Process I ng natura I <br />rad I aaet I va ores for med I ca I, I ndustr I a I, or energy uses <br />redistributes the radioactive materials into artificial <br />compounds and wastes such as uran I urn mill tall I n9s. Some <br />man-modified radioactive materials emit radiation Into the <br />environment In amounts and concentrations in excess of those <br />found In nature. <br /> <br />Consequences <br /> <br />The consequences of prolonged exposure to low levels of <br />radiation are not fully understood. The high levels of <br />radiation from radium or plutonium and other substances Is <br />very harmful even in minute amounts. Permanent tissue damage <br />and death can result. Cell changes caused by radiation are <br />linked with several diseases, some of them eventually fatal. <br /> <br />Aggravating Circumstances <br /> <br />Disposal of man-made radioactive wastes Is a national as well <br />as local concern. In Colorado, a major radium and uranium <br />production and processing state since the early 190015, It <br />has become a mu I t I-m II I i on do I I ar prob I em due to the high <br />