Continuity mistake: As Trent and Lionel talk, while Lionel is in the hospital bed, when the camera is behind Trent his shoulder and neck are barely illuminated and is in shadow as the camera is looking down on Lionel. When the camera is looking up at Trent, even though he has not moved, his shoulder and neck are now brightly lit and shows no sign of a shadow.
Continuity mistake: As Lana and Lex are talking, as Lana says "Actually, umm, I came by because.". In the middle of her going "umm" there is a camera change. Before the change Lana has her right hand on the arm of the seat. After the change she now has her right hand scratching her head.
Continuity mistake: Gabe Sullivan's headstone is on the right side (if you are looking at the headstones) of Chloe's in the previous episode. In this one it's on the other side.
Continuity mistake: In the episode "Skinwalkers" the Naman separating from Segeth glyph is colored red and blue In this episode, with no explanation whatsoever, it is black and white.
Continuity mistake: During much of the conversation between Clark and Lana, while in the caves, you can see the cave painting that matches the tattoo on Lana's back is behind her. Then, towards the end of the conversation, she is still standing in front of Clark and during the scene has not moved from that position yet, once she sees the cave painting behind Clark she walks over to it and turns around to face Clark, which puts the painting behind her even though it was already behind her before she moved.
Continuity mistake: As Lana saves Lois from Trent, as Lana first starts to spray the pepper spray/mace the camera is behind Trent and the mace is coming out in a mist. The camera jumps to behind Lana and now the mace is firing in a steady stream.
Answer: The kryptonite only creates mutations when it reacts with the environment and an individual. Remember, the FDA and several environmental groups did check out Smallville after the meteor shower, but found no danger in the rocks. Obviously they're not always emitting mutating rays, or all the flora and fauna of the surrounding area would be horribly mutated.
Phoenix