Why is strontium-90 a particularly dangerous isotope for humans?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Strontium-90 is particularly dangerous for humans because it is a radioactive isotope that our body mistakes for calcium. If strontium-90 is ingested or inhaled, it can be incorporated into bones and teeth, where it releases radiation over time. This prolonged exposure can lead to significant cellular damage and an increased risk of cancers, particularly bone cancer and leukemia.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Strontium-90

First, it is necessary to recognize that strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope. As it decays, it produces a beta particle and turns into yttrium-90, which is also radioactive. This process releases a significant amount of energy, which can damage living tissue and DNA.
02

Strontium-90 and the Human Body

The danger of strontium-90 to humans lies in its chemical similarity to calcium. As an alkaline earth metal, body systems are unable to differentiate between strontium and calcium. Thus, if strontium-90 is ingested or inhaled, it can be incorporated into bones and teeth like calcium would be, further concentrating the radioactivity inside the body.
03

The Long-Term Effects

Long term effects of strontium-90 in the human body are harmful due to its radioactive properties. Inside the human body, the radiation can cause cell damage and can increase the risk of cancer. Especially, bone cancer and leukemia are common as strontium-90 concentrates in the bone marrow.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Write complete nuclear equations for these processes: (a) tritium, \({ }^{3} \mathrm{H},\) undergoes \(\beta\) decay; \((\mathrm{b}){ }^{242} \mathrm{Pu}\) undergoes \(\alpha\) -particle emission; \((\mathrm{c})^{131} \mathrm{I}\) undergoes \(\beta\) decay; (d) \(^{251} \mathrm{Cf}\) emits an \(\alpha\) particle.

To detect bombs that may be smuggled onto airplanes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will soon require all major airports in the United States to install thermal neutron analyzers. The thermal neutron analyzer will bombard baggage with low-energy neutrons, converting some of the nitrogen- 14 nuclei to nitrogen- \(15,\) with simultaneous emission of \(\gamma\) rays. Because nitrogen content is usually high in explosives, detection of a high dosage of \(\gamma\) rays will suggest that a bomb may be present. (a) Write an equation for the nuclear process. (b) Compare this technique with the conventional X-ray detection method.

The radioactive isotope \({ }^{238} \mathrm{Pu},\) used in pacemakers, decays by emitting an alpha particle with a half-life of 86 yr. (a) Write an equation for the decay process. (b) The energy of the emitted alpha particle is \(9.0 \times 10^{-13} \mathrm{~J}\), which is the energy per decay. Assume that all the alpha particle energy is used to run the pacemaker, calculate the power output at \(t=0\) and \(t=10 \mathrm{yr}\). Initially \(1.0 \mathrm{mg}\) of \({ }^{238} \mathrm{Pu}\) was present in the pacemaker (Hint: After \(10 \mathrm{yr}\), the activity of the isotope decreases by 8.0 percent. Power is measured in watts or \(\mathrm{J} / \mathrm{s}\).).

Explain why achievement of nuclear fusion in the laboratory requires a temperature of about 100 million degrees Celsius, which is much higher than that in the interior of the sun (15 million degrees Celsius).

For each pair of isotopes listed, predict which one is less stable: (a) \({ }_{3}^{6} \mathrm{Li}\) or \({ }_{3}^{9} \mathrm{Li},\) (b) \({ }_{11}^{23} \mathrm{Na}\) or \({ }_{11}^{25} \mathrm{Na},\) (c) \({ }_{20}^{48} \mathrm{Ca}\) or \({ }_{21}^{48} \mathrm{Sc}\).

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