An isotope is one of two or more atoms that have the same atomic number but have different mass numbers. Not all isotopes are radioactive and there are many uses for them. List of important isotopes used by man are given below:
Iron-59 is used
for studying how the spleen metabolizes iron.
Copper-64 is used
to study genetic problems with copper metabolism.
Erbium-169 is
used in the treatment of some forms of arthritis pain
Rhenium-186 is
used for relieving bone cancer pain. Rhenium-188 is used for beta irradiation
of arteries in angioplasty.
Palladium-103 is
used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Samarium-153 is
used in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer and can also be effective
in pain relief of secondary cancers.
Iodine-131 is
used in the treatment of thyroid cancer and is also used for thyroid imaging.
Gallium-67 is
used for tumor imaging.
Americum 121 : Used
in many smoke detectors for homes and businesses
Cadmium 109 : Used
to analyze metal alloys for checking stock, scrap sorting
Calcium 47: Important
aid to biomedical researchers studying the cellular functions and bone
formation in mammals.
Californium-252:
- Used to inspect airline luggage for hidden explosives
- to gauge the moisture content of soil in the road construction and building industries
- to measure the moisture of materials stored in soils.
Carbon 14 : Major
research tool. Helps in research to ensure that potential new drugs are
metabolized without forming harmful by-products.
Cesium 137 :
- 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.
- to ensure the right fill level for packages of food, drugs, and other products.
Chromium 51 : Used
in research in red blood cell survival studies.
Cobalt 57: Used
as a tracer to diagnose pernicious anemia
Cobalt 60:
Used to sterilize surgical instruments.
to improve the safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil
burners.
Used in cancer treatment, food irradiation, gauges, and
radiography.
Copper 67: 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 and other metabolic disorders including brain
function.
Iodine-125: Major
diagnostic tool used in clinical tests and to diagnose thyroid disorders. Also
used in biomedical research.
Iodine-129: Used
to check some radioactivity counters in in-vitro diagnostic testing
laboratories.
Iodine-131: Used
to treat thyroid disorders. (Graves’s disease)
Iridium-192: Used
to test the integrity of pipeline welds, boilers and aircraft parts and in
brachy-therapy/tumor irradiation.
Iron-55: Used to
analyze electroplating solutions and to detect the presence of sulphur in the
air. Used in metabolism research.
Krypton-85:
- Used in indicator lights in appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, stereos, and coffeemakers.
- to gauge the thickness of thin plastics and sheet metal, rubber, textiles and paper
- to measure dust and pollutant levels.
Nickel-63: Used
to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and current surge protectors in
electronic devices, and in electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.
Phosphorus-32: Used
to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and current surge protectors in
electronic devices, and in electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.
Phosphorus-33: Used
in molecular biology and genetics research.
Plutonium-238: Has
powered more than 20 NASA spacecraft since 1972
Polonium-210: Reduces
the static charge in production of photographic film and other materials
Promethium-147: Used
in electric blanket thermostats .and to gauge the thickness of thin plastics,
thin sheet metal, rubber, textile and paper.
Radium-226: Makes
lighting rods more effective.
Selenium-75: Used
in protein studies in life science research.
Sodium-24: Used
to locate leaks in industrial pipe lines and in oil well studies.
Strontium-85: Used
to study bone formation and metabolism.
Strontium-90: Used
in survey meters by schools, the military and emergency management authorities.
Also used in cigarette manufacturing sensors and medical treatment.
Sulphur-35: Used
in genetics and molecular biology research.
Technetium-99m: The
most widely used radioactive pharmaceutical for diagnostic studies in nuclear
medicine. Different chemical forms are used for brain, bone, liver, spleen and
kidney imaging and also for blood flow studies.
Thallium-201: Used
in nuclear medicine for nuclear cardiology and tumor detection.
Thallium-204: Measures
the dust and pollutant levels on filter paperand gauges the thickness of
plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles and paper.
Thoriated Tungsten:
Used in electric arc welding rods in construction, aircraft, petrochemical and
food processing equipment industries.
Thorium-229: Helps
fluorescent lights last longer.
Thorium-230: Provides
coloring and fluorescence in colored glazes and glassware
Tritium:
- Major tool for biomedical research. Used for life science and drug metabolism studies to ensure the safety of potential new drugs
- for self-luminous aircraft and commercial exit signs
- for luminous dials, gauges and wrist watches.
- to produce luminous paint, and for geological prospecting and hydrology.
Uranium-234: Used
in dental fixtures like crowns and dentures to provide a natural color and
brightness.
Uranium-235: Fuel
for nuclear power plants and naval nuclear propulsion systems and used to
produce fluorescent glassware, a variety of colored glazes and wall tiles.
Xenon-133: Used
in nuclear medicine for lung ventilation and blood flow studies.
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