ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Radium in the environment

Okay kiddo, so radium is a type of material that can be found in rocks and soil. It gives off a special kind of energy called radiation which can be harmful to people and animals if they are exposed to a lot of it.

But don't worry, most of the time the levels of radium in the environment are very low and not dangerous. In fact, some places even have a little bit of radium in their drinking water and it's still safe to drink.

But there are some places where there is a lot of radium, like around old mines or factories that used it for things like paint or medical treatments. When these places were abandoned or cleaned up, sometimes they didn't get all of the radium out of the soil or water and it can still be there today.

That's why it's important for people to check the levels of radium in areas where they might be exposed to it a lot, like if they live near an old mine or work in a place that used to use it. And if the levels are too high, they need to take steps to protect themselves and others, like wearing special gear or making sure the area is cleaned up properly.

So remember, radium is a special material that can be harmful if there's too much of it around, but most of the time it's not something to worry about.