Use Of Radioactive Isotopes
Major Uses of Radioisotopes
Americum-241
Used in many smoke detectors for homes and businesses…to measure levels of toxic lead in dried paint samples…to ensure uniform thickness in rolling processes like steel and paper production…and to help determine where oil wells should be drilled. Used to analyze metal alloys for checking stock, scrap sorting
Cadmium-109
Calcium-47
Californium-252
Carbon-14
Cesuim-137
Chromium-51
Important aid to biomedical researchers studying the cellular functions and bone formation in mammals.
Used to inspect airline luggage for hidden explosives…to gauge the moisture content of soil in the road construction and building industries…and to measure the moisture of materials stored in soils. Major research tool. Helps in research to ensure that potential new drugs are metabolized without forming harmful byproducts. Used in biological research, agriculture, pollution control, and archeology.
Used to treat cancerous tumors…to measure correct patient dosages of radioactive pharmaceuticals…to measure and control the liquid flow in oil pipelines…to tell researchers whether oil wells are plugged by sand…and to ensure the right fill level for packages of food, drugs, and other products. (The products in these packages do not become radioactive.)
Used in research in red blood cell survival studies.
Cobalt-57
Cobalt-60
Copper-67
Used as a tracer to diagnose pernicious anemia
Used to sterilize surgical instruments…and to improve the safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil burners. Used in cancer treatment, food irradiation, gauges, and radiography.
When injected with monoclonal antibodies into a cancer patient, helps the antibodies bind to and destroy the tumor.
Curium-244
Used in mining to analyze material excavated from pits…and slurries from drilling operations.
Gallium-67
Used in medical diagnosis
Iodine-123
Widely used to diagnose thyroid disorders
Americum-241
Used in many smoke detectors for homes and businesses…to measure levels of toxic lead in dried paint samples…to ensure uniform thickness in rolling processes like steel and paper production…and to help determine where oil wells should be drilled. Used to analyze metal alloys for checking stock, scrap sorting
Cadmium-109
Calcium-47
Californium-252
Carbon-14
Cesuim-137
Chromium-51
Important aid to biomedical researchers studying the cellular functions and bone formation in mammals.
Used to inspect airline luggage for hidden explosives…to gauge the moisture content of soil in the road construction and building industries…and to measure the moisture of materials stored in soils. Major research tool. Helps in research to ensure that potential new drugs are metabolized without forming harmful byproducts. Used in biological research, agriculture, pollution control, and archeology.
Used to treat cancerous tumors…to measure correct patient dosages of radioactive pharmaceuticals…to measure and control the liquid flow in oil pipelines…to tell researchers whether oil wells are plugged by sand…and to ensure the right fill level for packages of food, drugs, and other products. (The products in these packages do not become radioactive.)
Used in research in red blood cell survival studies.
Cobalt-57
Cobalt-60
Copper-67
Used as a tracer to diagnose pernicious anemia
Used to sterilize surgical instruments…and to improve the safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil burners. Used in cancer treatment, food irradiation, gauges, and radiography.
When injected with monoclonal antibodies into a cancer patient, helps the antibodies bind to and destroy the tumor.
Curium-244
Used in mining to analyze material excavated from pits…and slurries from drilling operations.
Gallium-67
Used in medical diagnosis
Iodine-123
Widely used to diagnose thyroid disorders