A. Risks in using radioactive compounds

1. Exposure

Too much exposure to radiation (accidental or on purpose) can cause

Serious illness or death

Mutations which can be passed on to future generations

2. Disposal

Some radioacitve waste can last for thousands of years.

Currently running out of room to store the waste

Power plants

3. Accident

Accidental release of radiation or radioactive waste can be very damaging to people and the environment.

Chernobyl

B. Uses of Radioisotopes

Many different uses for radioactive isotopes

Specific isotopes can be used for specific purposes

1. Tracers Use to follow chemicals through complex reactions

Photosynthesis, Cell RespirationPhotosynthesis, Cell Respiration

Makes chemicals radioactive, so we can see where they go

14C

18O

3H

14C6H12O614CO2

2. Diagnosis

131I Used to detect thyroid problems

99Tc Used to detect brain tumors

Ba Used to detect intestinal problems

Inject isotope into a person to detect an illness

If the isotope goes to the wrong place, there may be a problem

Use isotopes with low radioactivity, short half lives and quickly eliminated from the body.

3. TreatmentOther forms of radiation can be used to kill cancer cells

Cancer cells are killed easier by radiation than normal cells60Co

Expose tumor to radiation, it kills more cancer cells than normal cells

Radium

131I is also used to treat thyroid problems, as well as diagnose them.

4. Sterilization

Some foods or materials are exposed to radiation to kill bacteria and molds

5. Measurement

Can measure thickness of substances very accurately using radiationRadiation is absorbed as it passes through different materials

Gamma radiation

6. Determining Age

When something is alive, it has a specific amount of 14C in itWhen it dies, the 14C undergoes half lives and decaysCount the number of half lives to determine the age (Carbon dating)

14C

238U

Very long half life

Measure the ratio of 238U to 206Pb in rocks to determine their age.

Decays to 206Pb