Radiation Discussion

For this week’s discussion, we will explore the important and practical uses of radioactive isotopes. Although radiation often sounds harmful, many radioactive isotopes play essential roles in healthcare, research, industry, and environmental science.

A radioactive isotope (or radionuclide) is an atom with an unstable nucleus that releases energy in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. This source of radiation can be traced with a Geiger counter or other detection device (Britannica Editors, 2025). Nuclear medicine uses these isotopes for both diagnosis and treatment, including PET scans, SPECT scans, cancer therapy, and metabolic imaging. Radioactive isotopes are also widely used in industry, archaeology, food preservation, and environmental studies.

1. Choose a Radioactive Isotope

Select one isotope from the list below. You must pick a different isotope than your peers.

Examples of Radioactive Isotopes

Healthcare Isotopes

Industrial Isotopes

Environmental / Research Isotopes

Technetium-99m

Cobalt-60

Carbon-14

Iodine-131

Iridium-192

Radon-222

Fluorine-18

Americium-241

Tritium (Hydrogen-3)

Xenon-133

Cesium-137

Uranium-238

1. Answer ALL Required Questions with Complete Sentences

Your post must clearly address the following:

1. What type of radioactive decay does your isotope undergo?
   • Alpha, beta, gamma, positron emission, electron capture
   • Provide a simple explanation of what this means for your isotope
2. How is your isotope used?
   • Describe its application in healthcare, industry, archaeology, food safety, or environmental science
   • Be specific (What test? What treatment? What purpose?)
3. What protective measures are needed when handling or storing this isotope?

Examples include:

• Lead shielding
• Remote handling tools (tongs)
• Radiation badges (dosimeters)
• Lead-lined containers
• Controlled access storage
• Safety training