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Download Science Media Centre Fact Sheet Radioactive substances involved
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Science Media Centre Fact Sheet Radioactive substances involved in the Fukushima incident Radionuclide - a radioactive isotope (different atomic form) of an element Half-life - the time taken for a substance undergoing decay to reduce by half Fission products Iodine-131 - Radioactive isotope with a half-life of about 8 days - formed within nuclear fuel rods during fission - Can enter the body through inhalation as a gas or via food or water - Accumulates in the thyroid gland (in the neck); this makes it useful in medicine for treatment of thyroid cancer and some other thyroid disorders. Also used in imaging of the thyroid gland and other organs - High doses over a long time period can increase risk of thyroid cancer. Low doses can reduce the activity of the thyroid gland, slowing hormone production Caesium-134 - Half-life of around 2 years - Also produced during fission, though less prevalent than caesium-137 - Used in photoelectric cells and various types of ion propulsion systems under development (potentially for use in space travel) Caesium-137 - Half-life of about 30 years - A very common product of nuclear fission - is present in the environment (soil and water) at very low levels due to atmospheric fallout - Has lots of industrial applications, including in industrial measuring devices; also used in some cancer treatments - Exposure can result from ingestion or external from exposure to the radiation it emits - Exposure to large amounts can cause serious burns and even death; but levels of such exposure are very rare Fuel sources Uranium Plutonium This is a fact sheet issued by the Science Media Centre to provide background information on science topics relevant to breaking news stories. This is not intended as the 'last word' on a subject, but rather a summary of the basics and a pointer towards sources of more detailed information. These can be read as supplements to our roundups and/or briefings. For more information about our fact sheets, please contact Robin Bisson at the Science Media Centre on 020 7611 8345 or email [email protected]
