Contribution of radiation technology to environmental protection

The direct and indirect contributions of radiation technology to environmental protection are summarized. The indirect contribution consists in a considerably decreased or, in some cases, completely abandoned use of harmful substances (such as volatile organic solvents) in radiation-chemical processes, utilization of spent materials and products (in particular, butyl rubber), etc. The direct contribution includes the direct use of ionizing radiation for the purification and disinfection of polluted natural and drinking water, municipal and industrial wastewater, other liquid wastes, gas systems (for example, flue gases from thermal power stations), sewage sludge, and solid wastes (infected medical wastes, polluted soil, etc.); pest control (by radiation sterilization of male insects); etc. The corresponding examples based on recent studies are cited.