Black Rain And Its Radioactive Effects - Book Report/Review Example

The effect of radiation does not place much of a burden on plant life in the sense that their growth and germination are not suppressed. However, the radiation in plants can be perilous to the humans and animals that consume them. Livestock eats these plants for their source of nourishment and the radioactive products are passed on to humans in the meat and milk they consume. The plant uptake of the radioactive particles can directly affect humans as they may consume the vegetables (NWD). This is the irony in Yasuoko’s uncle’s desire to get her to try a plant to help her illness.

The absorption radioactive material into these plants render them useless in healing her and even more dangerous to her health. Bodies of water tend to bear the brunt of nuclear radioactivity. These particles are often found in the water by way of air or direct deposit and they tend to compile on the bottom floor. They will contaminate the plants and fish living in that environment and directly affect humans by drinking the water or eating contaminated fish. Sadly, the Japanese civilians had to rely on fish as their main source of meat in Black Rain.

They had to harvest carp and search for mussels in ponds. With radioactive material being absorbed by water sources, faced hazardous waste from eating these fish and drinking the water. Eventually, there were no fish or mussels left for consumption as they died out in because of the pollution of the water. Lastly the effect of radiation in the air and the forests caused a lot of health problems. . They had to harvest carp and search for mussels in ponds (Black Rain 282). With radioactive material being absorbed by water sources, faced hazardous waste from eating these fish and drinking the water.

Eventually, there were no fish or mussels left for consumption as they died out in because of the pollution of the water. Lastly the effect of radiation in the air and the forests caused a lot of health problems after the attack. Japan is one of the most forested countries in the world as approximately 70% of the land area is covered by forests. As shown in Black Rain, there were numerous forest fires. By nature, forests accumulate these particles in greater density there than they do in open fields.

The trees act as an umbrella so that particles fall in and retain them. As organic material on the floor of the forest absorb them, these radioactive particles kill trees as well. Once the tree has fallen, it causes even more radioactivity on the forest floor (NWD). This affects food sources as one area of vegetation has been contaminated as well as air. This is very detrimental to a part of the world so densely populated with forests. The nuclear fallout after the atomic bomb detonation on Hiroshima was devastating for the food supply.

To look on the bright side, all food that was acquired before the explosion was ok to eat. Food that was ready to eat did not become radioactive as those particles could be washed off. Any food around before such a nuclear blast was still edible, it was the meat ( in livestock ) and fruits and vegetables obtained afterwards which causes the most problems (NWD). The citizens of Hiroshima did not have time to prepare for the bomb that was