decay

It contains radium that decays into radon gas, which is radioactive and can cause cancer.

In Croatia, the Cocco team at the Ruđer Bošković Institute study how they shape the ocean's carbon cycle, from the decay of organic matter to bacterial interactions that influence seawater chemistry and CO2 uptake.

Pretty much the only comestibles in stock are bags of candy and jars of baby food, which makes Jeffrey one of the first screen criminals to fret about tooth decay.

In other words, Mr. Gould writes, “young strivers who were willing to endure the rigors of urban decay.”

An Englishman visiting the Netherlands noted with surprise: “This trading nation must be in a very bad way. Most of their principal towns are sadly decayed.”