The term "radioactive fallout" refers to the contamination caused by nuclear events that have taken place in the atmosphere. Some of these events have been deliberate, such as the scientific testing of nuclear weapons, while others have been accidental, like the nuclear power station meltdowns that have occurred in various parts of the world. The radioactive dust and debris from these nuclear events are transported by the wind and contaminate the land, water, and food chain wherever they settle.

Radioactive materials emit several kinds of radiation. One type of radiation is the spontaneous emission of sub atomic particles such as protons, neutrons and electrons. Another type is gamma radiation, which is similar to X radiation. Both forms of radiation are known to be toxic, and exposure to large doses of such radiation cause death and mutation of offspring due to DNA damage. Smaller doses may cause...