Radioisotopes
By Maya Sugden 9.3
By Maya Sugden 9.3
Radioisotopes: * Radioisotopes are used in many different studies around the world such as medicine, industry and research. * They consist of a radioactive isotope of any element Technetium-99m: * Half life: * The half life of Technetium-99m is 6 hours * Below is a diagram of the decay of Technetium-99m:
* What type of radiation is emitted? * Gamma 140 keV is emitted from Technetium-99m in the process of decaying.
* Describe the process in which the isotope is used: * Technetium-99m is used in medicine. It is used around 20 million times per year and is a very valuable radioisotope. * Technetium-99m is used to image parts of the body such as the brain, bones, thyroid, heart, salivary glands and blood pool through procedures such as SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography).
* Benefits associated with use: * Technetium-99m’s gamma radiation is easily detected and provides a high resolution which allows it to be highly useful for imaging inside people. * The amount of radiation given off is small enough not to be of harm to the patient. * The half life of 6 hours allows enough time for any tests to be undertaken. * Technetium-99m is produced from the decay of Molybdenum 99 which has a half life of 66 hours, allowing it to be transported and have some shelf life before starting the process of decay. * Evidence may suggest that due to its low levels of radiation, Technetium-99m may activate DNA repair mechanisms in the body that can fix existing mutations. * Low levels of radiation reduce damage to tissues. * Due to its half life, Technetium-99m is quickly eliminated from the body * Only a small dose of Technetium-99m needs to be given to the patient for it to be picked up by imaging devices.
* Disadvantages: * Technetium-99m eventually produces Technetium 99 with a half life of 210,000 years making it hard
By Maya Sugden 9.3
Radioisotopes: * Radioisotopes are used in many different studies around the world such as medicine, industry and research. * They consist of a radioactive isotope of any element Technetium-99m: * Half life: * The half life of Technetium-99m is 6 hours * Below is a diagram of the decay of Technetium-99m:
* What type of radiation is emitted? * Gamma 140 keV is emitted from Technetium-99m in the process of decaying.
* Describe the process in which the isotope is used: * Technetium-99m is used in medicine. It is used around 20 million times per year and is a very valuable radioisotope. * Technetium-99m is used to image parts of the body such as the brain, bones, thyroid, heart, salivary glands and blood pool through procedures such as SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography).
* Benefits associated with use: * Technetium-99m’s gamma radiation is easily detected and provides a high resolution which allows it to be highly useful for imaging inside people. * The amount of radiation given off is small enough not to be of harm to the patient. * The half life of 6 hours allows enough time for any tests to be undertaken. * Technetium-99m is produced from the decay of Molybdenum 99 which has a half life of 66 hours, allowing it to be transported and have some shelf life before starting the process of decay. * Evidence may suggest that due to its low levels of radiation, Technetium-99m may activate DNA repair mechanisms in the body that can fix existing mutations. * Low levels of radiation reduce damage to tissues. * Due to its half life, Technetium-99m is quickly eliminated from the body * Only a small dose of Technetium-99m needs to be given to the patient for it to be picked up by imaging devices.
* Disadvantages: * Technetium-99m eventually produces Technetium 99 with a half life of 210,000 years making it hard
Bibliography: ANSTO |Nuclear medicine. (n.d.). ANSTO | Homepage. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://www.ansto.gov.au/discovering_ansto/what_does_ansto_do/nuclear_medicine ANSTO |Nuclear medicines and radioisotopes BrainPOP | Science | Learn about Radioactivity. (n.d.). BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts . Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/radioactivity/ Radioactivity Video Digital Chem: Phosphorus 32 - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved March 10, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWbcu8Vl-5A Metals in Medicine and the Environment Nuclear Waste : Twig. (n.d.). Twig. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://australia.twig-world.com/films/nuclear-waste-1344/ Phosphorus-32 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Technetium-99m - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved March 10, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technetium-99m [radioisotopes]:/their role in society today/