Whenever a person hears the term isotopes, one is reminded of the negative effects of nuclear science as it is considered a medium that fosters nuclear radiation, and if handled incorrectly, it can cause massive radiation contamination on a larger scale. Although this perception is correct, this fosters the usual fear of the public whenever the idea of nuclear energy is discussed. Some would often forego the importance of both nuclear science and the use of nuclear power in various purposes. However, people do not realize that they benefit with nuclear science from the food one eats up to the items used to make life easy. One of the major components under nuclear science that showcases several theories affecting life is radioactivity. Discovered in 1896 by Antoine Henri Becquerel, radioactivity had been discovered through photographic plates when they developed bright spots when exposed to uranium, showing that minerals give off certain range of radiation. In understanding more on radioactivity, isotopes are checked to identify an element’s mass number. Isotopes are known as atoms whose nuclei have the same atomic number; however, it has different masses .
There are at least two types of isotopes utilized in nuclear science – stable and radioactive isotopes. Stable isotopes, as their name implies, are isotopes that are not capable of radioactive decay. Isotopes that are considered stable isotopes are mostly found in nature, or as a component of a mixture. According to the isotopic mass, the methods of separation that have been used for stable isotopes are mostly electromagnetic and thermal-mechanical processes. Examples of stable isotopes are usually involved with biological processes such as deuterium and oxygen-18. There are also notable advantages when it comes to using stable isotopes. One of its notable advantages is that there is the absence of radiation effects in specimens when in contact with stable isotopes. There is also the availability of an isotope from a chemical which would normally be unsuitable to a radioactive species. Stable isotopes can also be free from speed tests to make measurements since isotopes in this type do not decay. The only seen disadvantage in stable isotopes is that it is exceedingly difficult to detect. Radioactive isotopes or radioisotopes, on the other hand, are available with varieties in radiation type, energy and half-lives. Radioisotopes could come from three main sources – charged particle reactions, neutron bombardment, and separated fission. The United States Department of Energy provides interested parties of stable and long-lived isotopes. Some types of radioisotopes are generated through cyclotrons from hospitals. The main advantages in radioisotopes are that they can easily be detected through the emanations, as well as its uniqueness in identifying the half-lives and radio properties of specimens. However, the problems of scarcity are a disadvantage for radioisotope dependents due to the numerous uses radioisotopes can present .
While there are disadvantages in utilizing anything nuclear-influenced due to its capacity to present influential hazards, there are immense benefits in utilizing isotopes such as radioisotopes. In medicine, radioisotopes are used mostly for diagnosis and research. Doctors also utilize radioactive tracers, which is capable of emitting gamma radiation to provide diagnostics regarding anatomy or organ function of a patient. Radiotherapy is also using radioisotopes to treat diseases, most prominently cancer. In addition to this, radioisotopes are utilized in both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In diagnostic use, small amounts of radioactive components or tracers are injected to a person or ingested. Doctors would then trace these ‘tracers’ to determine radioactivity at various vital points in the patient’s body. Radio detectors would then showcase the amount of radioactivity in the inspected area. One of the earliest uses of radioactive tracers was done in the 1940s to identify the radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland. In the part of diagnostics, radioisotopes found in medical imaging equipment are used to check organ images or anatomy noninvasively. Nuclear medical examination is capable of providing images of metabolism, blood circulation, and vitality as compared to other imaging equipment . Radioisotopes with high gamma sources are also utilized by hospitals and medical companies to sterilize hospital and medical equipment: syringes, bandages, medical equipment and even medicine.
Agriculture also benefits with the use of radioisotopes as it is used to preserve food by preventing the growth of root crops after it has been harvested. Farmers also use radioisotopes to kill parasites and pests that could have been inside the food or crop. Food producers mostly use radioisotopes to keep food fresh and just in the right ripeness before it could be processed or stored. Irradiated food is accepted around the globe since national health authorities see the benefits of using radioisotopes to control and stabilize food for human consumption. Some of the foods that undergo irradiation are potatoes, onions, dried and fresh food, grain products, poultry, and even fished. Prepackaged foods are also irradiated to prevent it from being spoilt or to remove the possible contamination of food-related viruses. In terms of growing livestock and crops, radioisotopes are utilized to control yielding, disease, and foster growth for weather resistant crops. Experts also utilize the use of radioisotopes to understand how fertilizers would affect the crop and the soil, including how insecticides or pesticides cause a reaction to the pest or the life. Radioisotopes is also capable of fostering development and good health for domestic animals.
Science and technology often utilize radioisotopes in various fields. In the case of archaeology and history; radioisotopes are utilized for carbon dating. This enables artifacts to be given exact dates of its creation or history. Scientists also utilize radioisotopes to understand irradiation of materials, understanding how their elements could be utilized for various applications. This enables scientists to understand collision and reactions from reactors and accelerators. Radiation gauges also enables scientists to understand moisture, density, mineral deposits and isotopes. The industry also benefits from radioisotopes as mining use radioisotopes to detect leaks, check the metal strength and the welds they see from their equipment. Even the police, environmental experts, and governments also use radioisotopes to check the pollutants in the environment, a person’s breath (for alcohol or drug use), movement of water, and the current rate of streams and rivers in case there is contamination or a possibility of flooding. Electricity is also generated through radioisotopes and this can be seen in Russia. Radioisotopes is used in nuclear reactors that can generate electricity and provide heat. Russians would then use this heat generation for various industrial processes such as water desalination, water treatment and production .
There are many more benefits that both nuclear science and radioisotopes provide to humans that have yet to be listed or discovered. While there are still doubts on how beneficial nuclear science could be without contaminating the environment, it is without doubt radioisotopes ensure life continues to prosper from the food eaten to how machines make life easier.
Works Cited
Ebbing, Darrell and Steven Gammon. General Chemistry. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009. Print.
Khandpur, R.S. Handbook of Biomedical Instrumentation. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2003. Print.
Murray, Raymond LeRoy. Nuclear Energy: An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. Print.
Udeh, Patrick. A Guide to Healthy Drinking Water: All You Need to Know About the Water You Drink. Lincoln: iUniverse, 2004. Print.
