Why Is Cobalt 60 So Dangerous?

Because it decays by gamma radiation, external exposure to large sources of Co-60 can cause skin burns , acute radiation sickness, or death. ... Co-60 absorbed by the liver, kidneys, or bone tissue can cause cancer because of exposure to the gamma radiation.

Why is cobalt-60 no longer used?

Since cobalt-60 has a short half-life, there is no significant presence of the isotope in the general environment at this time. Exposures have occurred as a result of improper disposal of medical radiation sources and the accidental melting of cobalt-60 sources by metal recycling facilities.

Is cobalt-60 harmful to the environment?

How does cobalt-60 change in the environment? Cobalt-60 decays by beta and gamma emission to non- radioactive nickel. Most of the radiation from the decay of cobalt-60 is in the form of gamma emissions; some is in the form of beta particles. ... Gamma radiation, however, can penetrate the body.

Is cobalt-60 good or bad?

The US Environmental Protection Agency describes cobalt-60 as the “most common radioactive isotope” of the element cobalt, which occurs naturally in various minerals. ... This isotope is particularly nasty and potentially deadly because of the cancer-causing gamma rays it emits — gamma 1.33 and 1.17 to be precise.

What problem does cobalt-60 solve?

Cobalt-60 is used in the inspection of materials to reveal internal structure, flaws, or foreign objects and in the sterilization of food. In medicine, it is used to treat cancer and to sterilize medical equipment.

What are the benefits of using cobalt 60?

In addition to its applications in radiation processing, Cobalt-60 is used as a radiation source for medical radiotherapy where it is used in cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells. Cobalt-60 is used as the radiation source in Gamma Knife equipment that enables non-surgical treatment of brain tumours.

Why is the Cobalt 60 important?

Cobalt Sources

Cobalt-60 is used as a radiation source in many common industrial applications , such as in leveling devices and thickness gauges. It is also used for radiation therapy in hospitals. Accidental exposures may occur as the result of loss or improper disposal of medical and industrial radiation sources.

What are 5 uses of cobalt?

Cobalt is also used to make airbags in automobiles ; catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries; cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) and diamond tools; corrosion- and wear-resistant alloys; drying agents for paints, varnishes, and inks; dyes and pigments; ground coats for porcelain enamels; high-speed ...

Why is cobalt bad for you?

* Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy . Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys. * Repeated exposure to Cobalt dust can cause scarring of the lungs (fibrosis) even if no symptoms are noticed.

Is cobalt bad for humans?

It can harm the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs . Exposure to cobalt may cause cancer. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cobalt and cobalt-containing products. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Why is cobalt-60 used for sterilization?

Cold Process Sterilization

The reason why Cobalt-60 is the most suitable for radiation processing is because of the relatively high energy of their gamma rays and fairly long half-life which is 5.27 years . ... Energy of gamma rays passes through the equipment, disrupting the pathogens that cause contamination.

Is cobalt man made?

1. PURE COBALT DOES NOT NATURALLY EXIST ON EARTH . Though you can find cobalt just about everywhere—in the soil, in mineral deposits, and even in crusts on the seafloor—it’s always combined with other elements like nickel, copper, iron, or arsenic, such as in the bright crimson arsenate mineral erythrite.

How does a cobalt-60 work?

Cobalt therapy is the medical use of gamma rays from the radioisotope cobalt-60 to treat conditions such as cancer . Beginning in the 1950s, cobalt-60 was widely used in external beam radiotherapy (teletherapy) machines, which produced a beam of gamma rays which was directed into the patient’s body to kill tumor tissue.

How expensive is cobalt-60?

The thermal power of Cobalt 60 –1130 curies a gram 17.4 watts a gram https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt-60 costs $280 a gram ($280,000 a kilogram) by one estimate.

What radiation does cobalt-60 emits?

Cobalt-60 emits two high energy gamma rays , making cobalt-60 both an internal and external hazard. The primary exposure pathways of concern are ingestion (drinking water and fish consumption), and exposure by inhalation and external exposure.

Is all cobalt radioactive?