Radioisotopes Applications
Major Uses of Radioisotopes
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.
Americum-241
Used to analyze metal alloys for checking stock, scrap sorting Cadmium-109
Important aid to biomedical researchers studying the Calcium-47 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.
Californium-252
Major research tool. Helps in research to ensure that
potential new drugs are metabolized without forming
harmful by-products. Used in biological research, agriculture,
pollution control, and archeology.
Carbon-14
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.)
Cesuim-137
Used in research in red blood cell survival studies. Chromium-51
Used as a tracer to diagnose pernicious anemia Cobalt-57
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.
Cobalt-60
When injected with monoclonal antibodies into a cancer Copper-67 patient, helps the antibodies bind to and destroy the tumor.
Used in mining to analyze material excavated from pits…and Curium-244 slurries from drilling operations.
Used in medical diagnosis Gallium-67
Used to test the integrity of pipeline welds, boilers and Iridium-192 aircraft parts and in brachytherapy/tumor irradiation
Widely used to diagnose thyroid disorders and other Iodine-123 metabolic disorders including brain function.
Used to analyze electroplating solutions and to detect the Iron-55 presence of sulphur in the air. Used in metabolism research.
Major diagnostic tool used in clinical tests and to diagnose Iodine-125 thyroid disorders. Also used in biomedical research.
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…and to measure dust and
pollutant levels.
Used to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and
current surge protectors in electronic devices, and in
electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.
Krypton-85
Major diagnostic tool used in clinical tests and to diagnose Iodine-129 thyroid disorders. Also used in biomedical research.
Used to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and
current surge protectors in electronic devices, and in
electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.
Nickel-63
Used to treat thyroid disorders. (Graves’s disease) Iodine-131
Has powered more than 20 NASA spacecraft since 1972 Plutonium-238
Reduces the static charge in production of photographic film Polonium-210 and other materials
Used in electric blanket thermostats…and to gauge the
thickness of thin plastics, thin sheet metal, rubber, textile
and paper.
Promethium-147
Makes lighting rods more effective Radium-226
Used in genetics and molecular biology research. Sulphur-35
Used in protein studies in life science research. Selenium-75
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.
Technetium-99m
Used to locate leaks in industrial pipe lines…and in oil well Sodium-24 studies.
Used in nuclear medicine for nuclear cardiology and Thallium-201 tumor detection.
Used to study bone formation and metabolism. Strontium-85
Measures the dust and pollutant levels on filter paper…and
gauges the thickness of plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles
and paper.
Thallium-204
Used in survey meters by schools, the military and
emergency management authorities. Also used in cigarette
manufacturing sensors and medical treatment.
Strontium-90
Used in molecular biology and genetics research. Phosphorus-33
Used in molecular biology and genetics research. Phosphorus-32
Helps fluorescent lights last longer. Thorium-229
Provides coloring and fluorescence in colored glazes Thorium-230 and glassware
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