ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Environmental radioactivity

Hey kiddo, did you know that everything on Earth has what we call "radioactivity?" This means that some objects have tiny invisible pieces, called atoms, that can give off a type of energy called radiation.

Sometimes, this radiation is good for us and helps us see inside our bodies when we get sick! But other times, it can be really bad for us and hurt our bodies.

When we talk about "environmental radioactivity," we mean the radiation that is found in a place like the ground or the air. This radiation can come from a lot of different sources, like the sun, rocks, or man-made things like power plants or nuclear bombs.

When we talk about the effects of environmental radioactivity on living things, we want to know if it's safe or dangerous. Scientists study this by measuring how much radiation is present in a certain area or object, and then figuring out if that level is harmful to people, animals or plants.

So, even though we can't see or touch radiation, it's important to know about it and take steps to make sure we stay safe!