Radioactivity
Radioactive decay or nuclear decay refers to the process through which nucleus of an atom that is not stable loses their energy through emission of ionizing radiation particles. Those materials that emit these kinds of radiations are considered to be radioactive. Some of the particles that are emitted include the alpha, beta and gamma rays. The main reason why the atoms emit the radiations is due to their instability. This occurs as the nuclei have no enough binding energy that holds the nucleus tightly together. As the nuclei of the atoms seek to be stable, and this result in the changes that may help the atom to attain a stable state. In the process, the atoms release matter and energy from the nucleus. The atoms are themselves transformed to make new elements (NDT, 2012).
Nuclear decay has a significant contribution in health and medical fields. It is used in food sterilization, medical supplies, in radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells, reduction of insect breeding through sterilization, brain tumor diagnosis, and diagnosis of blocked arteries. Nuclear decay is also used in the treatment of various forms of cancer and in preventing the development of malignant tumors (Rediff, 2013). The implications of nuclear decay to society are similar to the implications that are associated with any natural phenomenon. The process may be used in a wise manner that may benefit or harm the society.
There is still a bright future in the application of nuclear decay in healthcare services. There is a chance for the establishment of doses that are safe for the sterilization of tissue-based, combination drugs, as well as device products. There are also possible modifications in the irradiator systems, which enable the products to be treated using tight overdose ratios. There is a possibility of safeguards being developed against overdosing of products (Medical Device Network, 2006).
Reference List
Medical Device Network. (2006). The Future of Radiation Processing. Retrieved August 3, 2013, from http://www.medicaldevice-network.com/features/feature117
NDT. (2012). Radioactive Decay. Retrieved August 4, 2013, from NDT Education Resource Center: http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Radiography/radioactivedecay.htm
Rediff. (2013). What is "Radioactive decay" and what its importance? Retrieved August 4, 2013, from http://qna.rediff.com/questions-and-answers/what-is-radioactive-decay-and-what-its-importanc/15916530/answers
