Abstract
AbstractRadiation exposure during gestation causes mutation in the fetus leading to birth defects in the newborn. On a survey of the coastal villages of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India, high levels of background radiation were detected, which was suggestive of inducing mutations, and congenital abnormalities in the exposed population. To substantiate the dangerous impact of such natural radioactive emissions, we have established an avian model of irradiation-induced birth defect in chicks hatched from eggs exposed to natural radioactive beach sand. The hatched experimental chicks exhibited severe locomotor disability and extreme malformations. Our study proves for the first time, that natural beach sand radiation induces severe developmental abnormalities. The results of this experiment brings to light, the importance of radiation-protection during gestation and also the need for monitoring and cleaning of radioactive sand deposits in beaches all over the world.
Highlights
Radiation exposure during gestation causes mutation in the fetus leading to birth defects in the newborn
The principal objective of this study was to validate the impact of natural radiation from beach sand, on the exposed population
We hypothesized that exposure to natural radioactive beach sand could be a substantial reason for the high prevalence of disability and birth defects in the coastal population of the district
Summary
Radiation exposure during gestation causes mutation in the fetus leading to birth defects in the newborn. Experiments conducted in the plant Tradecantia paludosa, acknowledged that intensity of irradiation plays an important role in causing aberrations in the root tips of plants (Mikaelsen, 1954) Taking this into account, two different intensities of natural radiation sources were used in this study and their impact on embryonic growth and development was studied. Former studies conducted by scientists gave similar results regarding the prevalence of high background radiation, which was attributed to gamma radiation emitting from the beach sand (Saroja and Roy, 2008). This sand was hypothesized to produce dangerous impacts on human beings and living organisms. The eggs which failed to hatch on the 22nd day, were cut open and studied
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