Radioisotopes

This research paper was written to discuss the different uses of radioisotopes that have been discovered so far hopefully more uses will be found in the future.

RADIOACTIVITY is a special attribute recognized more by its outward effect rather than its cause. That effect is the spontaneous and irrepressible emission of radiation. Inside an atom is made up of electrons orbiting around a central core called the nucleus. The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons.

Atomic nuclei with the same number of protons, but with differing numbers of neutrons, are called ISOTOPES.

There are a few chemical elements in the Periodic Table with isotopes in which the arrangement of protons and neutrons is less than ideal. Because of this, these elements exhibit a degree of nuclear instability, which manifests itself as RADIOACTIVITY.

Isotopes, which spontaneously emit radiation, are called RADIOISOTOPES.

A radioisotope can lose energy by emitting three different types of radiation:

1. Made up of two protons and two neutrons (the same as the nucleus of a Helium atom).

2. Have a mass number of 4 and an atom

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This principle is used to measure different types of coating thicknesses.

Zinc-65 & Manganese-54 To predict the behavior of heavy metal components in effluents from mining waste water

Iridium-192, Gold-198 & Chromium-57 To label sand to study coastal erosion

Ytterbium-169, Iridium-192 & Selenium-75 In gamma radiography and non-destructive testing.

Selenium-75 In the form of seleno-methionine to study the production of digestive enzymes. Elements detected this way include iron, nickel, copper, zinc, tin and lead.

X-rays from a radioactive element can induce fluorescent x-rays from other non-radioactive materials.

Caesium-137 For radiotracer technique for identification of sources of soil erosion and deposition, in density and fill height level switches.

For example the radioisotope should -

• Possess a short half-life (hours) which is commensurate with the duration of the investigative procedure

• Not emit alpha or beta radiation, because these particles would be trapped in the patient's tissues and not be detected externally

• Emit gamma radiation of an energy which will allow its origin to be efficiently assessed

• Be available in the highest possible specific activity, so that it will not invoke either a toxic or pharmacological response in the patient.

RADIOISOTOPES USE

Gallium-67 For tumor imaging and localization of inflammatory lesions (infections). It is also cost effective Patient has to be given a dose of radiation

Can be man-made or natural Hard to dispose of

Have many uses

DATA ANALYSIS

Radioisotopes in Nuclear Medicine

In NUCLEAR MEDICINE a radioisotope is administered to a patient either to aid the diagnosis of disease or for the treatment of disease.

On the other hand, in THERAPEUTIC nuclear medicine, a different set of criteria applies: -

• The half life should not be the cause of an extended stay in hospital for the patient

• The radioisotope should emit particulate (alpha or beta) radiation of sufficient energy to penetrate to all parts of the lesion

• It should, in addition, emit gamma rays to facilitate the assessment that the appropriate region of the body has been targeted.

A radiopharmaceutical is the end product of extensive chemical processing of a substance after it has been irradiated in a cyclotron or nuclear reactor.

Approximate Word count = 2533
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)

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