A. H. MELIKYAN, Corresponding Member, NAS, RA, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Leading Research Fellow, Institute of Applied Problems in Physics, NAS, RA, Member, Academic-Advisory Council, “Haikakan Banak” DAJ

SUMMARY

The radioactive radiation as a type of the electromagnetic radiation, emitted in a certain range of wavelengths, by its influence on the substance may be both ionizing and non-ionizing. The ionizing radiation, characterized by very small wavelengths values and high energy, is capable of stripping electrons from the atom, hence affecting the physical and chemical properties of that substance. In particular, it has a great effect on the living (including human) organism, in which nerve impulses are transmitted in the form of electrical signals, and even the blood is an electrolyte, i. e., subject to the influence of the electromagnetic field. The ionizing radioactive radiation is implemented in various spheres of human life activity, namely, in medicine, both for diagnosis, and for treatment of a number of (and above all, oncological) diseases. It is also used for electric energy industrial production.

Radioactivity is also one of the main destructive features of the nuclear weapon, with Hiroshima and Nagasaki being tragic cases of the long-term effects of its use. It can be argued, incidentally, that the danger of long-term widespread radioactive contamination (radiological pollution) of the land, water and air domains because of a possible nuclear war was the main element of the system of nuclear deterrence, effectively functioning for decades. According to some estimates, this radiation is emitted from a number of modern ammunitions containing depleted uranium, notwithstanding the fact that their application is not prohibited by international legal norms.