
In SimCity, radioactive pollution is a serious issue that can have detrimental effects on your city and its residents. While it may seem like an unavoidable consequence of progress, there are ways to mitigate and potentially even eradicate this dangerous pollution. Radioactive pollution can be caused by meteor strikes, nuclear power plants, or even the giant robot from the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack. This type of pollution can render areas of your city uninhabitable, with buildings being abandoned and no new construction taking place. The radiation also has negative health effects on Sims, making them ill and potentially leading to death. To combat this, players can employ a Ground Scrubber from the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack, which converts radiation into air pollution. Additionally, trees and parks can help absorb ground pollution caused by radiation, but this is a very slow process. While it may seem tempting to simply abandon your irradiated city and start anew, with patience and the right tools, it is possible to recover from even the most disastrous radiation leaks and meltdowns.
How to stop radioactive pollution in SimCity
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources of Radioactive Pollution | Meteor Strikes, Nuclear Power Plants, Giant Robots (in Cities of Tomorrow) |
| Effects of Radioactive Pollution | Sickness and Death, Building Abandonment, Negative Impact on Demand of All Zones |
| Ways to Remove Radioactive Pollution | Ground Scrubber (in the Expansion Pack Cities of Tomorrow), Trees, Time (20+ years for radiation to turn into ground pollution) |
| Ways to Prevent Radioactive Pollution | Proper Funding and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, Avoiding Meteor Strikes and Giant Robot Emissions |
| Other Types of Pollution | Air Pollution, Ground Pollution, Water Pollution |
| Ways to Reduce Air Pollution | Adding Parks, Using the Forests Tool to Plant Trees, Improving Traffic Flow |
| Ways to Reduce Ground Pollution | Improving Waste Management and Sewage Solutions, Bulldozing Landfills, Planting Trees |
| Ways to Reduce Water Pollution | Addressing Ground Pollution Sources, Improving Water Treatment Processes |
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What You'll Learn

Prevent nuclear power plant explosions by funding and maintaining them properly
In SimCity, if nuclear power plants are not funded or maintained properly, they will explode and release radiation into the surrounding area. This will destroy buildings and trees in the immediate vicinity, and any remaining buildings within the zone of contamination will be abandoned. No new structures will develop on this contaminated land. Therefore, to prevent nuclear power plant explosions, it is essential to ensure proper funding and maintenance.
Proper funding for nuclear power plants involves having adequate financial resources to support the construction, operation, and maintenance of the plant. This includes investing in the latest safety measures and technology to protect against accidents and potential explosions. Funding should also be allocated for the training and development of personnel who are responsible for operating and maintaining the plant.
Maintenance of nuclear power plants involves regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades to ensure the plant is functioning safely and efficiently. This includes monitoring the integrity of the reactor pressure vessel, the condition of the fuel elements, and the effectiveness of the cooling systems. Proper maintenance also involves the safe handling and disposal of nuclear waste, as well as the implementation of emergency preparedness procedures in the event of an accident.
By providing adequate funding and maintaining nuclear power plants properly, the risk of explosions and radioactive pollution can be significantly reduced. This will help ensure the safety and well-being of the Sims living in your city, as well as the protection of the environment.
Additionally, it is worth noting that in the SimCity game, there are other ways to generate power that does not involve the risk of radioactive pollution. These include wind turbines, oil, or coal plants, each with their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of environmental impact and resource availability. Balancing the need for energy with the potential risks and consequences of each power source is a key consideration for any mayor in SimCity.
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Use the Ground Scrubber from the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack
If you're looking to stop radioactive pollution in SimCity, one effective way to do so is by utilising the Ground Scrubber from the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack. This tool is specifically designed to address the issue of radiation, which is considered the worst form of pollution in the game due to its severe impacts on your city.
The Ground Scrubber works by extracting radiation from the ground and converting it into air pollution. While this may seem counterintuitive, it's important to understand that air pollution is generally easier to manage and has less direct negative consequences on your Sims' health. Air pollution can be mitigated through various means, such as investing in wind power instead of coal or oil power plants, reducing traffic, and even adding parks to increase greenery and improve air quality.
To access the Ground Scrubber, you will need to upgrade the Academy to level four and conduct research. This research process is known to be quite slow, taking several hours at max speed to unlock. It is also a costly endeavour, requiring 1150 control net. However, with a fully staffed Academy, you can reduce the research time to approximately five years.
It is worth noting that even with the Ground Scrubber, removing radiation from your city will still be a lengthy process. According to some estimates, it can take upwards of 20 in-game years to fully eradicate radiation. During this time, you can expect your Sims to fall ill and even face death, similar to the impact of other forms of pollution. Therefore, it is essential to have a well-funded healthcare system in place to manage the fallout from radiation exposure.
In summary, the Ground Scrubber from the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack is a powerful tool for addressing radioactive pollution in SimCity. While it may not offer an instant solution, it provides a means to mitigate the issue over time and convert the radiation into a more manageable form of pollution. As with all challenges in SimCity, patience and strategic planning are key to overcoming radioactive pollution and getting your city back on track.
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Plant trees to absorb radiation and pollution
While radiation is a serious issue in SimCity, there are strategies you can employ to mitigate its impact and restore your city to its former glory. One natural solution is to plant trees to absorb radiation and pollution. Here's how you can do it:
Understanding Radiation in SimCity
Radiation is a severe form of pollution in SimCity, resulting from meteor strikes, nuclear power plant malfunctions, or, in the case of the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack, the departure of the giant robot. It has detrimental effects on your city, including sickness and death among Sims, abandonment of buildings, and a decrease in land value. Radiation typically takes a long time to disappear, with some instances requiring over 10,000 in-game years for complete dissipation.
The Role of Trees in Absorbing Radiation and Pollution
Trees act as a natural remedy for ground pollution in SimCity. By planting trees, you can effectively reduce the amount of pollution in the affected areas. This process, however, takes a significant amount of time, and the trees may require frequent replanting due to the high levels of pollution. Nevertheless, it is a viable option for improving the environment in your city.
Steps to Plant Trees:
- Access the "Nature" section under "Parks": In SimCity, you can find the option to plant trees by navigating to the "Parks" section and then selecting "Nature." Here, you will have the ability to plant trees using the Forests Tool.
- Strategically Place Trees: When planting trees, consider their placement carefully. It is recommended to put some parks with trees near industrial and residential zones. If budget constraints allow you to choose only one type of zone, place the trees downwind of the industrial zones temporarily.
- Combine with Other Pollution Reduction Methods: While trees can help absorb ground pollution, they may not be enough on their own. Complement your tree-planting efforts with other strategies, such as passing city ordinances like the Clean Air Act, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting education among Sims to attract high-tech industries.
- Be Mindful of Potential Drawbacks: Keep in mind that parks with trees, while reducing ground pollution, can also make Sims sick if placed in areas with high levels of existing ground pollution. Therefore, it is essential to balance your tree-planting strategy with other pollution reduction measures to create a healthy environment for your Sims.
By following these steps and incorporating trees into your pollution reduction strategy, you can effectively absorb radiation and pollution in SimCity, making your city a healthier and more vibrant place for your Sims to live and thrive.
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Avoid building landfills that can cause ground pollution
In SimCity, ground pollution is caused by poor waste management and sewage solutions. Sewage is, by its nature, pollution, and the areas around sewage outflow pipes will always be dirty. If you bulldoze a landfill, all the trash will convert to ground pollution, dirtying the ground and turning it black.
To avoid ground pollution from landfills, it is important to manage your sewage effectively. Here are some strategies to do so:
- Build a sewage treatment plant: This option is more expensive and requires a City Hall with the Department of Utilities module, but it can handle sewage treatment for larger cities. It cleans the sewage instead of dumping it onto the ground, drastically reducing ground pollution.
- Send sewage to another city: You can send your sewage to another city in the region that has the capacity to handle it. This option has a mutual benefit as it eliminates ground pollution in your city, provides revenue for the destination city, and decreases overall regional pollution.
- Sewage outflow pipe: If you are in the early game or have limited options, you can build a sewage outflow pipe. However, this produces the highest amount of ground pollution, so it should be built as far away from your populace as possible.
Additionally, you can take measures to prevent other sources of ground pollution:
- Avoid nuclear power plants: Nuclear power plants can explode and release radiation, a form of ground pollution, into the surrounding area.
- Manage industrial zones: Cities specialized in heavy industry, such as oil production, are prone to producing high levels of ground pollution. You can reduce this by activating city ordinances like the Clean Air Act, reducing traffic congestion, and transitioning to high-tech industries.
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Minimise air pollution by adding parks
Adding parks is a great way to minimise air pollution in SimCity. While it may not be as effective as improving your tech level and managing the placement of your industrial buildings, parks can still make a difference in reducing air pollution.
Firstly, it is important to note that placing parks near industrial zones and residential zones is crucial. If your funds are limited, start by placing parks downwind of the industrial zones, as this will help absorb more pollution. While parks in polluted areas can make Sims sick due to absorbing ground pollution, they can still serve a purpose if placed strategically.
Additionally, consider adding small parks on every block to significantly lower overall city pollution. This approach will help your Sims breathe easier and maintain relatively pure air quality. It is worth noting that parks are not a cheap solution, and having many parks in your city can be costly.
To further enhance the pollution reduction effects of parks, consider planting trees within them. Trees can be accessed from the "Nature Parks" menu. While trees are known to reduce ground pollution, there is some debate about their impact on air pollution. Some players have observed that trees do not seem to reduce air pollution, while others have found that specific types of trees, such as the "tree line" mentioned in the Nature section, can help cure ground pollution.
By combining strategic placement of parks and the utilisation of trees, you can effectively minimise air pollution in SimCity while also enhancing the aesthetics and land value of your city.
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Frequently asked questions
Radioactive pollution is caused by meteor strikes, nuclear power plants, and in the case of the "Cities of Tomorrow" expansion pack, the giant robot can sometimes emit radiation when it leaves the city.
Radioactive pollution has severe negative effects on your city. It can make Sims sick and even cause their death. Buildings in contaminated areas will be abandoned, and no new structures will develop on the contaminated land.
To prevent radioactive pollution, ensure that your nuclear power plants are properly funded and maintained and staffed with skilled workers. Additionally, be cautious of meteor strikes and, if using the "Cities of Tomorrow" expansion, the potential radiation emitted by the giant robot.
Removing radioactive pollution can be challenging and time-consuming. In the "Cities of Tomorrow" expansion, you can use the Ground Scrubber to convert radiation into air pollution. Alternatively, you can plant trees and create parks, but this process can take a very long time, sometimes even thousands of in-game years.
While completely removing radioactive pollution may not be feasible, you can take measures to mitigate its impact. Encourage the growth of trees and parks in contaminated areas, as they can help absorb and reduce radiation levels over time. Additionally, focus on improving healthcare facilities and increasing education levels to lower the chances of Sims becoming sick from radiation exposure.










































