Strontium-90

Strontium-90

Strontium-90 (pronunciation: stron-shee-um-nin-tee, from the Latin strontian, named after the Scottish village of Strontian) is a radioactive isotope of strontium with a half-life of 28.8 years. It is produced by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear reactors and in nuclear explosions.

Characteristics

Strontium-90 is a beta emitter, meaning it emits beta particles during radioactive decay. It is chemically similar to calcium, and can replace calcium in the body, leading to its accumulation in bones and teeth. This can cause bone cancer and leukemia.

Uses

Strontium-90 is used in radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer, in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for spacecraft, and in industrial radiography.

Health Effects

Exposure to strontium-90 can lead to various health problems, including cancer, leukemia, and damage to the immune system. It can also cause harm to the reproductive system and may lead to birth defects.

Safety Measures

Safety measures for handling strontium-90 include using lead shielding to protect against beta particles, and avoiding ingestion or inhalation of the isotope. Regular monitoring of workers exposed to strontium-90 is also important.

Related Terms

• Radioactivity
• Isotope
• Nuclear fission
• Uranium
• Plutonium
• Nuclear reactor
• Nuclear explosion
• Beta emitter
• Calcium
• Bone cancer
• Leukemia
• Radiotherapy
• Radioisotope thermoelectric generator
• Radiography
• Immune system
• Reproductive system
• Lead shielding

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Strontium-90
• Wikipedia's article - Strontium-90

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski