Iridium-192 is a radioactive isotope that’s used daily in a series of world changing ways. It’s a synthetically produced metal, made as a by-product of nickel and copper, and the Iridium-containing ores are found in the U.S.A, Alaska, South Africa and Australia. Used both in the medical and industrial world, this radioisotope is underappreciated for its benefits to society. Though there are some risks, the reward undeniably outweighs them.
Iridium-192 has a half-life of approximately 73 days, and it decays into Platinum-192. This is because radioisotopes undergo radioactive decay, which means they slowly break down because the element has an unstable nucleus. During Iridium-192’s decay process, it undergoes a nuclear change, transforming …show more content…
Its contributions to both the medical and industrial fields dramatically impact our living standard and health care. Its alternating operations include; brachytherapy and industrial radiography (non-destructive testing). Brachytherapy is a safe way to treat brain tumours, and certain types of cancer through “radiation delivered from a tiny source implanted directly into or next to the tumour. These sources produce gamma-rays, which have the same effect on cancer cells as X-rays. This treatment reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue, thereby limiting side effects” (Radiation oncology, sec. 1, par. 1). However, though small, there are risks attached to this certain type of radiation treatment, according to Dr Ananya Manda the immediate side effects are along the lines of swelling, bruising, pain and other discomfort. While the long-term impacts include infertility, and becoming impotent (generally for patients over 70). Industrial non-destructive testing is used by manufacturers to identify cracks or flaws in their products. “Just like medical x-rays are used to find breaks or cracks in bones, industrial radiography uses x-rays or gamma rays to take pictures of the inside of products because they can show problems not visible from the outside” (EPA, sec. 2, par. 2). Industrial radiography (industrial non-destructive testing) has no known risks except for accidental exposer/ingestion, its useful because the product being tested is never damaged or changed. In both brachytherapy and non-destructive industrial testing Iridium-192 is in the form of rice-sized pellets. The short-range radiation-sources (Iridium seeds) are encased in a protective capsule or wire to prevent the radiation damaging other
Iridium-192 has a half-life of approximately 73 days, and it decays into Platinum-192. This is because radioisotopes undergo radioactive decay, which means they slowly break down because the element has an unstable nucleus. During Iridium-192’s decay process, it undergoes a nuclear change, transforming …show more content…
Its contributions to both the medical and industrial fields dramatically impact our living standard and health care. Its alternating operations include; brachytherapy and industrial radiography (non-destructive testing). Brachytherapy is a safe way to treat brain tumours, and certain types of cancer through “radiation delivered from a tiny source implanted directly into or next to the tumour. These sources produce gamma-rays, which have the same effect on cancer cells as X-rays. This treatment reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue, thereby limiting side effects” (Radiation oncology, sec. 1, par. 1). However, though small, there are risks attached to this certain type of radiation treatment, according to Dr Ananya Manda the immediate side effects are along the lines of swelling, bruising, pain and other discomfort. While the long-term impacts include infertility, and becoming impotent (generally for patients over 70). Industrial non-destructive testing is used by manufacturers to identify cracks or flaws in their products. “Just like medical x-rays are used to find breaks or cracks in bones, industrial radiography uses x-rays or gamma rays to take pictures of the inside of products because they can show problems not visible from the outside” (EPA, sec. 2, par. 2). Industrial radiography (industrial non-destructive testing) has no known risks except for accidental exposer/ingestion, its useful because the product being tested is never damaged or changed. In both brachytherapy and non-destructive industrial testing Iridium-192 is in the form of rice-sized pellets. The short-range radiation-sources (Iridium seeds) are encased in a protective capsule or wire to prevent the radiation damaging other