Environmentally isolated bacteria have been shown to be resistant to gamma irradiation up to doses of 30 000 Gy. It has also been reported that the presence of ionising radiation may induce radioresistance in bacteria. Therefore, the possibility exists that bacteria that have come into contact with industrial sources of radiation will have increased radioresistance. These bacteria may have biotechnological applications, in areas such as bioremediation, waste reduction, biosensors, and biodecontamination.