Does anyone have solid numbers on the overall level of background radiation in the environment (air, drinking water, etc) over time? A short search and I found this fascinating site that shows (at least for the various types of radiation I queried (tritium, iodine, all alpha, all beta) that over the past 40 years levels have been steadily declining.<p><a href="http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro/erams_query.simple_output?Llocation=City&subloc=BERKELEY%2CCA&media=AIR&radi=Gross+Beta&Fromyear=1960&Toyear=2007&units=SI" rel="nofollow">http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro/erams_query.simple_output?Lloca...</a>
Similarly, the DMZ between North and South Korea has become a habitat for wildlife:<p>Endangered plants and animals have thrived. The Asiatic black bear, leopard, Eurasian lynx, and Goral sheep have made a comeback, and perhaps even the very rare Amur tiger - which some US soldiers say has been captured on video by surveillance teams. Many migratory birds, including the white-naped and red-crowned cranes and the black-faced spoonbill have made their homes in the DMZ. Environmentalists say over 1,100 plant species and mammal species exist in this wildlife sanctuary.<p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/20/conservation.wildlife" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/20/conservati...</a>