Disasters at nuclear power plants or testing of atomic bombs, all this is detrimental to the environment. It is because of them that the level of radiation in some places on the planet is higher than in others.
Radioactivity is the ability of unstable atoms to spontaneously decay. Often, human activity accelerates this process. A striking example of such activity is the testing of nuclear weapons by several states at once. Below is a rating of places where the level of radiation significantly exceeds the average allowable.
9. GOIAS, BRAZIL
This strange incident took place in 1987, in the state of Goiás, Central Western Region of Brazil. Scrap metal collectors stole a radiation therapy machine from a local abandoned hospital. The device, which emitted an unusual blue color, attracted attention. However, subsequently the entire region was in great danger, since unprotected contact with this device led to the spread of radiation.
8. SELLAFIELD, UK 
Sellafield is an atomic complex for the production of weapons-grade plutonium for atomic bombs. The complex was founded in 1940, and in 1957 there was a fire, which resulted in the release of plutonium. The tragedy claimed thousands of lives and caused a great material damage owners. The survivors soon died of cancer.
7. HANFORD COMPLEX, USA 
The Hanford Nuclear Complex is located in the state of Washington, on the Pacific Northwest coast. Founded in 1943 by the US government. The main task of the complex was to develop nuclear energy for the production of weapons. Now the complex has been decommissioned, however, the radiation emanating from it will remain on the territory for many decades to come.
6. SOMALI COAST 
Unfortunately, the perpetrators of the spread of radiation in Somalia are neither local residents nor the country's authorities. According to available data, the responsibility for this lies with the management of European companies based in Switzerland and Italy. The authorities of these companies took advantage of the unstable situation in the republic and dumped radioactive waste on its shores. The consequences of this discharge had a very strong impact on the health of the people of Somalia.
5. DENVER, USA 
Compared to other regions of the world, the Denver region in the United States has been shown to have high levels of radiation itself. However, some scientists attribute this to the fact that the city is located at an altitude of one mile (1609.344 m) above sea level. As you know, in high mountainous regions the atmospheric layer is thinner, respectively, and protection from the sun's radiation-carrying rays is not so strong. The region also has large deposits of uranium, which also play an important role in the spread of radiation in the region.
4. SEMIPALATINSKY TEST POINT, KAZAKHSTAN 
In the years cold war, on the territory of the test site, which at that time belonged to the USSR, nuclear weapons were tested. 468 tests were carried out, the consequences of which are still reflected in the inhabitants of the surrounding areas adjacent to the test site. About 200,000 people have been affected by the radiation in the region, according to the data.
3. MAYAK (PRODUCTION ASSOCIATION), RUSSIA 
During the Cold War, the Mayak Production Association built several nuclear power plants throughout Russia. The largest station was located in the closed city of Chelyabinsk-40 (now Ozersk), Chelyabinsk region. On September 29, 1957, an accident occurred at the station, which experts attributed to the 6th level on the international scale (the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was attributed to the 7th level). The death toll from this disaster is still uncertain. Attempts to clean up the region from radiation are unsuccessful, it is still among the regions unsuitable for habitation.
2. FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN 
In March 2011, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl occurred at the Fukushima-1, or Fukushima Daiichi, nuclear power plant in Japan. As a result of the accident, the area around the nuclear power plant was empty. About 165 thousand local residents were forced to leave their homes, which existed in the zone around the plant, which has now become an exclusion zone.
1. CHERNOBYL, UKRAINE 
The catastrophe at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has left its mark on the entire territory of Ukraine and beyond. On April 26, 1986, the world was shocked by the news that an accident at a nuclear power plant had occurred in the city of Pripyat. Vast territories of Ukraine, as well as neighboring territories of Belarus and Russia, were put at risk of infection. There was a large release of radiation into the atmosphere. And although, according to official figures, only 56 people were killed, true number casualties are still in question.
Radiation is scary, at least some of its types. Geiger counter not responding mobile phone, wi-fi router and microwave, as it only measures ionizing radiation, which has enough energy to knock electrons out of atoms. It is measured in sieverts. If you receive more than 2 sieverts at a time, you will probably die soon. But we are constantly exposed to small doses ionizing radiation. For example, bananas are rich in potassium, some of this potassium is naturally radioactive. So when you eat bananas, you get 0.1 microsievert of radiation. This is 1/10000000 sievert. The average level of radiation on the planet is from 0.1 to 0.2 microsievert per hour.
Who on Earth is exposed to the strongest ionizing radiation? For clarity, I propose to walk through some places on our planet and find out the approximate level of radiation. Next, we will get acquainted with professions in which receiving radiation is inevitable. And in conclusion, we will come to the one who receives the largest dose of radiation.
Hiroshima, Japan
In the city of Hiroshima, a nuclear bomb was detonated over the dome of the "Peace Memorial" at an altitude of 600 meters. This was done on purpose to cause as much damage as possible. 70 years later, the radiation level here is only 0.3 microsieverts per hour.Jachymov, Czech Republic
Old uranium mine. It was here that uranium was first discovered. It is also the place where Marie Curie got her raw materials from. 1.7 microsieverts per hour. This is almost 10 times the normal background radiation. To date, most of the uranium has already been recovered. But in the mine, under ultraviolet light, you can still see how uranium glows in some places.Curie Institute, Paris
Marie Curie received two nobel prizes. One in physics and one in chemistry. Until now, at least a couple of places with strong radiation can be found at her workplace. One of them is doorhandle. The radiation level here is about 1.5 microsieverts. The second place, oddly enough, is the back of her chair. Until now, the presence of alpha particles can be fixed on it.Trinity Nuclear Test Site, New Mexico
The first atomic bomb was detonated at this test site. When the bomb exploded, so much heat was released that all the sand turned into green glass. It can still be found there. This mineral was named in honor of the test - Trinitite. The radiation level here is about 0.8 microsieverts per hour. Trinitite itself is more radioactive. It emits 2 to 3 microsieverts per hour.But all this cannot be compared with the level of radiation in an ordinary plane! The higher you rise, the less the atmosphere above you, which protects from cosmic radiation. The radiation level inside the aircraft is approximately 0.5 microsievert at an altitude of 5.5 km, 1 microsievert at 7 km, more than 2 microsievert at an altitude of 9 km, and more than 3 microsievert at high altitudes and near the poles.
Chernobyl, Ukraine
Chernobyl power unit No. 4. It exploded on April 26, 1986. Near it now the radiation level is about 5 microsieverts per hour. If you stand next to it for one hour, then the received dose of radiation will be comparable to that as if you had taken an x-ray of your teeth. One of the reasons why the level of radiation is not so high is that a couple of meters of soil was removed from the surface from the entire area and then taken out.
But not everywhere in those areas is so rosy. There is a hospital in Pripyat, in the basement of which clothes were taken (more precisely, they were simply thrown away), after they learned about the radiation. The radiation level is very high here! It is more than 2000 microsieverts per hour!
Fukushima, Japan
The Japanese are now, just like in Chernobyl, removing a layer of soil meter by meter. This is evidenced by the black bags standing along the roads at the entrance to Fukushima. Since the accident happened only 3 years ago, the instrument will show 5 to 10 microsieverts per hour. It is estimated that the residents of Fukushima will receive an additional 10,000 microsieverts during their lifetime due to the nuclear disaster.Conclusion
Speaking of radiation, it is impossible not to touch upon the topic of medicine. One chest CT scan is 7000 microsieverts.In the United States, there is a limit of 50,000 microsieverts per year for workers in nuclear power plants. This is less than for another profession - for astronauts. For half a year on the ISS, an astronaut receives a dose of radiation of 80,000 microsieverts. But not even they are exposed to the highest levels of radiation.
The Lungs of a SMOKER are exposed to the highest level of radiation! The lungs of a smoker receive an average of 160,000 microsieverts of radiation each year. All because of the radioactive polonium and lead in the tobacco they smoke. That is, they expose themselves not only to the action of carcinogens and toxins, but also receive the highest doses of radiation.
We are exposed to radiation to varying degrees every day. However, in these 25 places you will be exposed to the most intense radiation, which automatically makes these places the most radioactive places on Earth. If you decide to visit any of them, don't be surprised when you look in the mirror and see an extra pair of eyes...
25. Metal mining area | Karunagappally, India.
Krunagappally is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India, which is the Indian mining capital of rare earths. Some of these minerals, such as monazite, find their way into beach sand in some coastal areas, increasing background radiation by up to 70 mGy/yr (versus the norm of 15 mGy/yr).
24. Fort d'Aubervilliers | Paris, France.
Radioactivity tests at Fort d'Aubervilliers revealed serious contamination. The 61 barrels of radioactive waste stored on its premises tested positive for cesium 137 and radium 226. In addition, 60 cubic meters soils are also considered contaminated.
23. Acerinox scrap metal recycling plant | Los Barrios, Spain.
During one of the incidents, this enterprise leaked cesium 137. This caused the emission of a radioactive cloud with a radiation level 1000 times higher than normal. The radioactive cloud later spread to Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
22. NASA Santa Susanna Laboratory | Simi Valley, California.
Simi Valley, California is where NASA's Santa Susana laboratory is based. But this laboratory would not be on this list if it were not for ten low-power nuclear reactors, which caused fires about ten times, which repeatedly led to the release of radioactive substances. The US is currently running a project to clean up the site, but so far without success.
21. Plutonium production plant Mayak | Muslyumovo, Russia.
Because of the plutonium production plant that was built here in 1948, people in Muslyumovo in the southern Urals are suffering from the effects of radioactive contamination. drinking water, which led to chronic diseases and physical disability.
20. Church Rock Uranium Mine | Church Rock, New Mexico.
The breach of the Church Rock dam resulted in thousands of tons of solid radioactive waste and 350 million liters of radioactive material entering the Puerco River. The level of pollution was 7,000 times higher than normal, and in 2003 a study found that the river was still polluted to the point that even being nearby was dangerous to health.
19. Residential building | Kramatorsk, Ukraine.
In 1989, a small capsule containing radioactive cesium 137 was found in the wall of an apartment building in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. This capsule had a surface level of gamma radiation of 1800 R per year and resulted in the death of six people and affected the health of 17 more.
18. brick houses| Yanjiang, China.
Yanjiang is distinguished by buildings built of bricks. Unfortunately, the sand in this region is mined from the hills, which contain monazite, which breaks down into radium, anemone, and radon. Exposure to these elements has led to high rates of cancer.
17. Natural background radiation | Ramsar, Iran.
This part of Iran is known for having one of the highest levels of natural background radiation on Earth. Radiation levels at Ramsar reach 250 mSv per year, while the norm is 20 mSv.
For reference. Sv (Sievert) - a unit of measurement of effective and equivalent doses of ionizing radiation in the International System of Units (SI)
16. Radioactive sand | Guarapari, Brazil.
Due to the erosion of the natural radioactive element monazite, the sands of Guarapari beaches have radiation levels reaching 175 mSv.
15. McClure | Scarborough, Ontario.
The residential area of McClure, located in Scarborough, Ontario, is a radioactive site contaminated with radium since the 1940s. The contamination was caused by radium recovered from scrap metal.
14. Underground springs Paralana | Arkarola, Australia.
The underground springs of Paralana flow through rocks that are rich in uranium, and studies show that the hot springs brought radioactive radon and uranium to the surface as early as a billion years ago.
13. Instituto Goiano de Radiotherapy | Goiania, Brazil.
The radioactive contamination of Goiania, Brazil was caused by a radioactive contamination accident following the theft of a radiotherapy machine from an abandoned hospital. Hundreds of thousands of people have died due to pollution, and even today, radiation is still present in several areas of Goiania.
12. federal center Denver | Denver, Colorado.
Denver Federal Center was used to dispose of various wastes, including chemicals and radiation waste; they include construction and road demolition products. Waste materials placed in a large number of places, which led to radioactive contamination of several areas of Denver.
11. US Air Force Base McGuire | Burlington County, New Jersey.
US Air Force Base McGuire was named one of the most polluted areas in 2007. That year the American armed forces ordered cleaning from pollution, but the place is still "fonit".
10. Hanford Nuclear Reservation | Hanford, Washington.
Hanford - part American project to build the first atomic bomb. It was here that plutonium was produced for the bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. The enterprise created a huge amount of plutonium, which in the end turned out to be useless and approximately two-thirds of the plutonium remained in Hanford, which led to the contamination of groundwater.
9. Sea | Mediterranean Sea.
A syndicate run by the Italian mafia is believed to be using the Mediterranean as a dumping ground for hazardous radioactive waste. Approximately 40 ships carrying toxic and radioactive waste are believed to sail through the Mediterranean every year, dumping large quantities into the water.
8. Somali coast | Mogadishu, Somalia.
According to some reports, the soil of the unprotected Somali coast was used by the mafia to bury nuclear waste and toxic metals in the amount of 600 barrels (barrels). This was confirmed when the tsunami occurred in 2004 and several old rusty barrels were found that were very "phony".
7. Production Association Mayak | Lighthouse, Russia.
Mayak, Russia, was home to the largest nuclear installation. It all started in 1957, when approximately 100 tons of radioactive waste fell into environment due to an accident that led to an explosion and pollution large area. This explosion, however, was not known until 1980, when it was also discovered that, since the 1950s, waste from the plant had simply been released into the environment, including Lake Karachay. Pollution, according to experts, could lead to the illness or death of more than 400,000 people. The consequences of radioactive exposure are very deplorable. It is known that radiation causes the development of many pathologies, including infertility. Just a couple of decades ago, the diagnosis of infertility sounded like a death sentence. Today, infertility treatment is carried out quite successfully, the main thing is to establish the cause of the disease and choose the right treatment tactics.
6. Sellafield Power Plant | Sellafield, UK.
Before becoming a commercial territory, Sellafield, UK was a plutonium production facility for nuclear bombs. Today, about two-thirds of the buildings in Sellafield are considered radioactive. This facility releases approximately eight million liters of contaminated waste every day, slowly killing everything around it.
5. Siberian Chemical Plant | Siberia, Russia.
Like Mayak, Siberia is home to one of the largest chemical sites in the world. The Siberian Chemical Plant pollutes approximately 125,000 tons of groundwater with solid radioactive waste. The study also shows that wind and rain carry these pollutants over long distances, resulting in high animal mortality rates.
4. Polygon | Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan.
The test site in Kazakhstan became famous thanks to the testing of atomic bombs. This uninhabited place has been transformed into a facility where Soviet Union exploded his first nuclear bomb. Approximately 200,000 people are currently suffering from the effects of the experiments carried out at the test site.
3. Western Mining and Chemical Plant | Mailuu-Su, Kyrgyzstan.
Mailuu-Su is considered one of the most polluted places in the world. Unlike other radioactive sites, this site received its radiation not from nuclear bombs or power plants, but from large-scale uranium mining and processing, resulting in approximately 1.96 million cubic meters of nuclear waste.
2. Chernobyl nuclear power plant | Chernobyl, Ukraine.
This is one of the most polluted places in the world. An accident at a nuclear facility in the city caused a release of radiation, which is comparable to more than a hundred nuclear strikes on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
1. Nuclear power plant Fukushima Daini | Fukushima, Japan.
The consequences of the earthquake that led to the accident at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima are still felt by the entire planet. The worst accident at a nuclear facility since Chernobyl caused the destruction of three reactors, which led to a serious radiation leak, traces of which are found even on the West Coast of the United States.
Although the 2011 earthquake and the Fukushima worries brought the radiation threat back into the public consciousness, many people still do not realize that radioactive contamination is a danger around the world. Radionuclides are among the six most dangerous toxic substances listed in a report published in 2010 by the Blacksmith Institute, a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental pollution. The location of some of the most radioactive places on the planet may surprise you - as well as the many people living at risk possible consequences radiation for themselves and their children.
Hanford, USA 10th place
The Hanford Complex in Washington State was integral part US project to develop the first atomic bomb, making plutonium for it and the Fat Man used in Nagasaki. During the Cold War, the complex ramped up production, providing plutonium for most of America's 60,000 nuclear weapons. Despite decommissioning, it still contains two-thirds of the country's high-level radioactive waste - about 53 million gallons (200 thousand cubic meters; hereinafter - approx. mixednews) liquid, 25 million cubic meters. feet (700 thousand cubic meters) solid and 200 sq. m. miles (518 sq. km) of groundwater contaminated with radiation, making it the most polluted area in the US. Destruction surrounding nature in this area makes you realize that the threat of radiation is not something that will come with missile attack, but something that can lurk in the very heart of your own country.
Mediterranean Sea - 9th place
For years, there have been rumors that the Italian mafia 'Ndrangheta syndicate used the sea as comfortable spot to dump hazardous waste, including radioactive waste, profiting from the provision of related services. According to the assumptions of the Italian non-governmental organization Legambiente, since 1994, about 40 ships loaded with toxic and radioactive waste have disappeared in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. If true, these claims paint a disturbing picture of contamination of the Mediterranean basin with unspecified amounts of nuclear material, the extent of the true threat of which will become clear when hundreds of barrels are compromised by wear and tear or some other process. Behind the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea, an unfolding ecological disaster may well be hiding.
Coast of Somalia 8th place
Since we are talking about this sinister business, the Italian mafia just mentioned was not limited to its own region. There are also allegations that the Somali soils and waters, left without state protection, were used to bury and flood nuclear materials and poisonous metals, including 600 barrels of toxic and radioactive waste, as well as waste medical institutions. Indeed, UN Environment officials believe that rusting barrels of waste washed up on the Somali coast during the 2004 tsunami were dumped into the sea as early as the 1990s. The country is already ravaged by anarchy, and the impact of the waste on its impoverished population could be as devastating (if not worse) than anything it has experienced before.
Mayak, Russia— 7th place
For decades, the Mayak production complex in northeastern Russia has included a plant for the production of nuclear materials, and in 1957 became the site of one of the world's worst nuclear incidents. As a result of the explosion, which resulted in the release of up to one hundred tons of radioactive waste, a vast territory was contaminated. The fact of the explosion was kept under cover of secrecy until the eighties. Since the 1950s, the plant's waste has been dumped in the surrounding area, as well as in Lake Karachay. This has led to the contamination of the water supply system that provides the daily needs of thousands of people. Experts believe that Karachay may be the most radioactive place in the world, and over 400,000 people have been exposed to the plant's radiation as a result of various serious accidents - including fires and deadly dust storms. The natural beauty of Lake Karachay deceptively hides pollutants that create a level of radiation in places where they enter the waters of the lake, sufficient for a person to receive within an hour. lethal dose irradiation.
Sellafield, UK— 6th place
Located on the west coast of England, Sellafield was originally an atomic bomb factory, but has since moved into the realm of commerce. Since the start of its operation, hundreds of emergency situations have occurred on it, and two-thirds of its buildings themselves are now considered as radioactive waste. The facility dumps about 8 million liters of radioactive waste into the sea every day, making the Irish Sea the most radioactive sea in the world. England is famous for its green fields and hilly landscapes, despite the fact that in the heart of this industrialized country a toxic, high-accident facility is well established, spewing dangerous substances into the oceans.
Siberian Chemical Combine, Russia— 5th place
Lighthouse is not the only dirty place in Russia; There is a chemical industry facility in Siberia that contains more than forty years of nuclear waste. Liquids are stored in open pools, and poorly maintained tanks hold over 125,000 tons of solid materials, while underground storage is capable of leaking into groundwater. Winds and rains spread the pollution over the surrounding area and its wildlife. And many minor accidents have led to the loss of plutonium and the explosive spread of radiation. The snow-covered landscape may look pristine and clean, but the facts make clear the true degree of pollution that can be found here.
Semipalatinsk test site, Kazakhstan- 4th place
Once the site of nuclear weapons testing, the area is now part of modern-day Kazakhstan. The site was allocated for the needs of the Soviet atomic bomb project due to its "uninhabited" - despite the fact that 700 thousand people lived in the area. The object was located where the USSR blew up its first atomic bomb, and holds the record as the site with the highest concentration of nuclear explosions in the world: 456 tests in 40 years from 1949 to 1989. Although the site's tests - and its exposure to radiation - were kept secret by the Soviets until its closure in 1991, the radiation is estimated to have affected the health of 200,000 people. The desire to destroy the peoples on the other side of the border led to the specter of nuclear contamination, which hung over the heads of those who at one time were citizens of the USSR.
Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan- 3rd place
In Mailuu-Suu, rated one of the ten most polluted cities on Earth according to a 2006 Blacksmith Institute report, radiation does not come from atomic bombs or power plants, but from the extraction of materials needed in their associated technological processes. In this area, uranium mining and processing facilities were located, which are now abandoned along with 36 dumps of uranium waste - more than 1.96 million cubic meters. This region is also characterized by seismic activity, and any disturbance of the containment of substances can lead to their contact with the environment or, if they enter rivers, pollute the water used by hundreds of thousands of people. These people may never worry about the threat of a nuclear strike at all, but they still have good reason to live in fear of radioactive fallout whenever the earth shakes.
Chernobyl, Ukraine- 2nd place
The site of one of the worst and most infamous nuclear accidents, Chernobyl, is still heavily polluted, despite the fact that a small number of people are now allowed in the zone for a limited time. The infamous incident exposed 6 million people to radiation, and estimates of the number of deaths that will eventually occur in connection with the Chernobyl accident range from 4,000 to 93,000. Radiation emissions were a hundred times greater than those that occurred during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Belarus absorbed 70 percent of the radiation, and its citizens faced a never-before-seen amount of cancer. Even today, the word "Chernobyl" conjures up horrifying images of human suffering.
Fukushima, Japan- 1st place
The 2011 earthquake and tsunami was a tragedy that destroyed lives and homes, but the most long-term danger may be the impact from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Worst since Chernobyl nuclear accident caused the fuel meltdown of three of the six reactors, as well as such radiation leaks into the surrounding areas and into the sea that radioactive substances were detected at a distance of up to two hundred miles from the station. Until the accident and its consequences are fully revealed, the true extent of environmental damage remains unknown. The world may still feel the effects of this catastrophe for generations to come.
We are all exposed to radiation in one form or another every day. However, in the twenty-five places that we will tell you about below, the level of radiation is much higher, which is why they were included in the list of the 25 most radioactive places on Earth. If you decide to visit any of these places, don't get mad if you find yourself with an extra pair of eyes after looking in the mirror... (well, maybe that's an exaggeration... maybe not).
25. Extraction of alkaline earth metals | Karunagappally, India
Karunagappally is a municipality in Kollam District Indian state Kerala (Kerala), where rare metals are mined. Some of these metals, especially monazite, have been eroded into beach sand and alluvial deposits. Due to this, the radiation in some places on the beach reaches 70 mGy / year.
24. Fort d'Aubervilliers | Paris, France
Tests for radiation discovered quite strong radiation at Fort D "Aubervilliers. Cesium-137 and radium-226 were found in 61 of the tanks stored there. In addition, 60 cubic meters of its territory were also contaminated with radiation.
23. Acerinox Scrap Metal Processing Plant | Los Barrios, Spain
In this case, the source of caesium-137 went unnoticed by the monitoring devices at the Acherinox scrap yard. When melted, the source caused the release of a radioactive cloud with radiation levels exceeding normal by 1000 times. Pollution was later reported in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
22. NASA Santa Susana Field Laboratory | Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley, California is home to NASA's Santa Susanna Field Laboratory, and over the years, about ten small nuclear reactors have failed due to several fires involving radioactive metals. Cleanup operations are currently underway at this heavily polluted site.
21. Plant for the extraction of plutonium "Mayak" | Muslimovo, Soviet Union
Because of the Mayak plutonium mining plant, built in 1948, residents of Muslimovo in the south Ural mountains suffer from the consequences of drinking water contaminated with radiation, which has led to chronic diseases and physical disabilities.
20. Church Rock Uranium Mill | Church Rock, New Mexico
During the infamous accident at the Church Rock uranium enrichment plant, more than a thousand tons of solid radioactive waste and 352,043 cubic meters of acidic radioactive waste solution entered the Puerco River. As a result, radiation levels increased 7,000 times above normal. A study conducted in 2003 showed that the waters of the river are still polluted.
19. Apartment | Kramatorsk, Ukraine 
In 1989, a small capsule containing highly radioactive caesium-137 was found inside concrete wall residential building in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. The surface of this capsule had a dose of gamma radiation equal to 1800 R/year. As a result, six people died and 17 people were injured.
18. Brick houses | Yangjiang, China
Yangjiang urban area is full of houses made of sand and clay bricks. Unfortunately, the sand in this region comes from parts of the hills that contain monazite, which breaks down into radium, actinium, and radon. The high levels of radiation from these elements explain the high rate of cancer in the area.
17. Natural background radiation | Ramsar, Iran
This part of Iran has one of the highest levels of natural background radiation on Earth. Radiation levels at Ramsar reach 250 millisieverts per year.
16. Radioactive sand | Guarapari, Brazil
Due to the erosion of the natural radioactive element monazite, the sands of Guarapari beaches are radioactive, with radiation levels reaching 175 millisieverts, very far from the acceptable level of 20 millisieverts.
15. McClure Radioactive Site | Scarborough, Ontario
The McClure Radioactive Site, a housing estate in Scarborough, Ontario, has been a radioactive site since the 1940s. The contamination was caused by radium recovered from scrap metal that was to be used for experiments.
14. Underground springs of Paralana (Subterranean Springs of Paralana) | Arkaroola, Australia
The underground springs of Paralana flow through rocks rich in uranium and, according to research, these hot springs have been bringing radioactive radon and uranium to the surface for over a billion years.
13. Goias Institute of Radiation Therapy (Instituto Goiano de Radioterapia) | Goias, Brazil
The radioactive contamination of Goiás, Brazil was the result of a radioactive radiation accident following the theft of a radiation therapy source from an abandoned hospital. Hundreds of thousands of people have died due to pollution, and even today, radiation is still rampant in several areas of Goiás.
12. Denver Federal Center | Denver, Colorado
Denver Federal Center has been used as a landfill site for a variety of waste, including chemical substances, contaminated materials and road demolition debris. This waste was transported to different places, which led to the radioactive contamination of several areas in Denver.
11. Base air force McGuire (McGuire Air Force Base) | Burlington County, New Jersey
In 2007, McGuire Air Force Base was recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as one of the most polluted air bases in the country. That same year, the US military ordered a clean-up of contaminants at the base, but the contamination is still there.
10. Hanford Nuclear Reservation Site | Hanford, Washington
An integral part of the US atomic bomb project, the Hanford facility produced plutonium for the atomic bomb that was eventually dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Although the plutonium stock was decommissioned, approximately two-thirds of the volume remained at Hanford, causing groundwater contamination.
9. In the middle of the sea | Mediterranean Sea
It is believed that the syndicate, controlled Italian mafia, uses the Mediterranean Sea as a dumping ground for hazardous radioactive waste. Some 40 ships carrying toxic and radioactive waste are believed to sail through the Mediterranean, leaving a large number of radioactive waste in the oceans.
8. Coast of Somalia | Mogadishu, Somalia
Some claim that the soil of the unprotected coast of Somalia was used by the mafia to dump nuclear waste and toxic metals, which include 600 barrels of toxic materials. This, unfortunately, turned out to be true when the tsunami hit the coast in 2004 and rusting barrels buried here several decades ago were opened to the eyes of people.
7. Production Association "Mayak" | Mayak, Russia
A lighthouse in Russia has been the site of a huge nuclear power plant for many decades. It all started in 1957, when approximately 100 tons of radioactive waste was released into the environment in a catastrophe that resulted in an explosion that polluted a huge area. However, nothing was reported about this explosion until 1980, when it was discovered that since the 1950s, radioactive waste from the power plant had been dumped into the surrounding area, including Lake Karachay. The pollution resulted in more than 400,000 people being exposed to high levels of radiation.
6. Sellafield Power Plant | Sellafield, UK
Before it was converted into a commercial area, Sellafield in the UK was used to produce plutonium for atomic bombs. Today, about two-thirds of the buildings that are in Sellafield are considered radioactive. This facility releases about eight million liters of contaminated waste every day, polluting nature and causing death to people living nearby.
5. Siberian Chemical Plant | Siberia, Russia
Just like Mayak, Siberia is also home to one of the largest chemical plants in the world. The Siberian Chemical Combine produces 125,000 tons of solid waste, polluting ground water surrounding area. The study also showed that wind and rain carry this waste to wildlife, causing high levels mortality among wild animals.
4. Polygon | Semipalatinsk test site, Kazakhstan
The test site in Kazakhstan is best known in connection with the atomic bomb project. This deserted place was transformed into an institution where the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb. The test site currently holds the record for the largest concentration of nuclear explosions in the world. Approximately 200,000 people are currently suffering from the effects of this radiation.
3. Western Mining and Chemical Plant | Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
Mailuu-Suu is considered one of the most polluted places in the world. Unlike other radioactive sites, this site receives its radiation not from nuclear bombs or power plants, but from large-scale uranium mining and processing activities, releasing approximately 1.96 million cubic meters of radioactive waste into the area.
2. Chernobyl nuclear power plant | Chernobyl, Ukraine 
Heavily contaminated with radiation, Chernobyl is the site of one of the worst nuclear accidents in the world. Over the years, the Chernobyl radiation disaster has affected six million people in the area and is predicted to result in approximately 4,000 to 93,000 deaths. Nuclear disaster at Chernobyl released into the atmosphere 100 times more radiation than was released as a result of the explosion of nuclear bombs in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
1. Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant | Fukushima, Japan
The aftermath of the earthquake in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan is said to be the longest lasting nuclear hazard in the world. This disaster, considered the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl disaster, caused the meltdown of three reactors, which led to a massive radiation leak, which was detected 322 kilometers from the power plant.