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Strontium-90 Strontium-90 is a man-made radioisotope, produced during the fission process in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. Strontium-90 has a half-life of 29.1 years, and emits high-energy beta particles. Strontium-90 has been used in medical and agricultural research, and has several industrial applications. The heat produced by this radioisotope can also provide a long-lived source of electricity, and has often been used to power remote locations such as lighthouses and weather stations.
If ingested or inhaled, strontium-90 deposits itself in bone and bone marrow. In large enough amounts, this can increase the risk of leukemia and other cancers. Direct exposure to strontium-90 can also be harmful to the body because of the material's high-energy beta particles. |
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This
material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation
Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does
not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents.
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