|
ISOTOPE
|
EMISSIONS
|
HALF-LIFE
|
USES
|
| Americium-241 (Am-241) |
alpha, gamma |
432 years |
Smoke detectors, thickness gauges, analysis |
| Americium-241 /beryllium (Am-241/Be) |
alpha, gamma, neutrons |
432 years |
Help determine where oil wells should be drilled; determine moisture in soil in neutron gauging. |
|
Cadmium-109
(Cd-109)
|
gamma |
462 days |
Analyse metal alloys for checking stock and sorting scrap. |
|
Calcium-47
(Ca-47)
|
beta, gamma |
4.54 days |
Aid to biomedical researchers |
|
Californium-252
(Cf-252)
|
alpha, gamma, neutrons |
2.6 years |
Measure the mineral content of coal ash and the moisture of materials stored in silos. |
|
Carbon-11
(C-11)
|
positrons |
20.38 minutes |
In Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to study brain physiology |
|
Carbon-14
(C-14)
|
beta |
5,730 years |
Research to ensure that potential new drugs are metabolized without forming harmful by-products. |
|
Cesium-137
(Cs-137)
|
beta, gamma |
30 years |
Treat cancers; calibrate equipment used to measure correct patient dosages of radioactive pharmaceuticals; measure and control the liquid flow in oil pipelines; tell researchers whether oil wells are plugged by sand; ensure the right fill level for packages of food, drugs and other products |
|
Chromium-51
(Cr-51)
|
gamma |
27.7 days |
Label red blood cells |
|
Cobalt-60
(Co-60)
|
beta, gamma |
5.3 years |
Sterilize surgical instruments; improve the safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil burners; preserve poultry, fruits
and spices, industrial radiography |
|
Copper-64
(Cu-64)
|
beta, gamma, positrons |
12.58 hours |
Study genetic disease affecting copper metabolism. |
|
Copper-67
(Cu-67)
|
beta, gamma |
61.7 hours |
Helps antibodies bind to and destroy tumours |
|
Curium-244
(Cm-244)
|
alpha, gamma |
18.1 years |
Analyse material excavated from pits and slurries from drilling operations. |
|
Fluorine-18
(F-18)
|
positrons |
1.83 hours |
In Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to study brain physiology |
|
Gallium-67
(Ga-67)
|
gamma |
3.26 days |
Imaging to detect tumours and infections. |
|
Gold-198
(Au-198)
|
beta, gamma |
2.7 days |
Trace factory waste causing ocean pollution, trace sand movement in river beds and on ocean floors. |
|
Iodine-123
(I-123)
|
gamma |
13.2 hours |
Diagnose thyroid disorders |
|
Iodine-131
(I-131)
|
beta, gamma |
8 days |
Diagnose and treat thyroid disorders
|
|
Iridium-192
(Ir-192)
|
beta, gamma |
74 days |
Test the integrity of pipeline welds, boilers and aircraft parts; supplied in wire form for use as an internal radiotherapy source. |
|
Iron-55 (Fe-55)
|
gamma |
2.7 years |
Analyse electroplating solutions |
|
Krypton-85
(Kr-85)
|
beta, gamma |
10.7 years |
Indicator lights in appliances like clothes washers and dryers, stereos and coffeemakers; gauge the thickness of thin plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles and paper; measure dust and pollutant levels. |
|
Molybdenum-99
(Mo-99)
|
beta, gamma |
2.8 days |
The ‘parent’ in a generator to produce technetium-99m, the most widely
used isotope in nuclear medicine. |
|
Nickel-63
(Ni-63)
|
beta |
101.1 years |
Detect explosives and as voltage regulators and current surge protectors in electronic devices. |
|
Nitrogen-13
(N-13)
|
positrons |
9.97 minutes |
In Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to study brain physiology |
|
Oxygen-15
(O-15)
|
positrons, gamma |
2.04 minutes |
In Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to study brain physiology |
|
Phosphorus-32
(P-32)
|
beta |
14.3 days |
In molecular biology and genetics research |
|
Samarium-153
(Sm-153)
|
beta, gamma |
46.7 hours |
R educe the pain associated with bony metastases of primary tumours. |
|
Sodium-24
(Na-24)
|
beta, gamma |
15 hours |
Locate leaks in industrial pipelines and in oil well studies. |
|
Technetium-99m
(Tc-99m)
|
gamma |
6.0 hours |
The most widely used radioactive isotope for diagnostic studies in
nuclear medicine |
|
Thallium-201
(Tl-201)
|
gamma |
3.04 days |
Imaging to detect the location of damaged heart muscle. |
|
Thallium-204
(Tl-204)
|
beta |
3.78 years |
Measures the dust and pollutant levels on filter paper and gauges the thickness of plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles and paper. |
|
Tritium
(H-3)
|
beta |
12.3 years |
In self-luminous aircraft and commercial exit signs |
|
Tritiated water
(H-3 in water)
|
beta |
12.3 years |
As a tracer to study sewage and liquid wastes. |
|
Ytterbium-169
(Yb-169)
|
gamma |
32.0 days |
In industrial radiography. |
|
Yttrium-90 (Y-90)
|
beta |
2.67 days |
Liver cancer therapy. |
|
Xenon-133
(Xe-133)
|
beta, gamma |
5.2 days |
In nuclear medicine for lung ventilation and blood flow studies. |
|
Zinc-65
(Zn-65)
|
gamma |
244 days |
T o predict the behaviour of heavy metal components in effluents from mining waste water. |
