How can a person without Geiger counter and modern education in physics learn the concept of radioactivity?

Imagine there are two regions, one of which has a significantly higher level of radiation. Think of Pripyat (higher level of radiation) and its surroundings (lower levels).

How can a person without equipment and without education in physics (but with a curious mind, good memory and analytic abilities) learn that there is such thing as radiation?

Let's assume he or she is immune to it and can walk around both regions without dying for decades.

Obvious ways:

1. He or she feels worse after a visit to the contaminated region.
2. The plants are bigger in the contaminated region.
3. In the contaminated regions there are animals, which look differently due to DNA modified by radiation.
4. His fellow people get sick, when they bring items (e. g. stones, metals) from contaminated regions in their homes, or put artifacts made of those materials close to their body. E. g. when a person puts a ring made of contaminated metal, there is a discoloration on his or her finger.

Antyhing else?

posted over 8 years ago

DP_‭

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