The process of spontaneous transformation of thenucleus, generally with the emission ofalphaorbeta particlesoften accompanied bygamma rays. This process is referred to asdecayor disintegration of an atom
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Radiation Emergencies, Radiation Dictionary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA 2011. http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/glossary.asp, (Dzstr/ Rad Emr - Amer) {820}