The isotope can concentrate in the food chain: in the flesh of fish or game, for instance Once absorbed by a human body, caesium spreads through the muscles until, after the days of its biological lifespan, it disappears. This comparatively quick elimination means that only one nucleus out of will decay inside the human body In the world of industry, caesium is used for its characteristic penetrative gamma ray signature Spent reactor fuel contains other isotopes of caesium; particularly caesium , with a relatively short half-life of two years and caesium with a particularly long half-life of 2.
Access to page in french. EN FR. Caesium A legacy of atmospheric nuclear bomb tests and accidents Caesium is a radioactive element with a relatively long half-life of Caesium and the food chain Caesium and the food chain: Caesium is the principal source of radioactive contamination in the food chain, mainly due to the nuclear bomb tests and the Chernobyl accident.
Lammer, and O. Unterweger, D. Hoppes, and F. A , Holleman and E. Buesseler, M. Aoyama, and M. Devell et al. Buser et al. Small amounts of Cs are present in the environment from weapons testing in the s and s, so people are exposed to some Cs every day.
However, Cs is dangerous in the large, concentrated amounts found in radiation therapy units and industrial gauges. The sources in these devices are designed to remain sealed and keep people from being exposed; however, if these canisters are intentionally or accidentally opened, the Cs inside could be dispersed.
External exposure to large amounts of Cs can cause burns, acute radiation sickness , and even death. Exposure to Cs can increase the risk for cancer because of exposure to high-energy gamma radiation. Internal exposure to Cs, through ingestion or inhalation, allows the radioactive material to be distributed in the soft tissues, especially muscle tissue, exposing these tissues to the beta particles and gamma radiation and increasing cancer risk. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Radiation Emergencies. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Skip to main content. Radiation Protection. Contact Us. Radionuclide Basics: Cesium On this page:. Cesium in the Environment Because Cs bonds with chlorides to make a crystalline powder, it reacts in the environment like table salt sodium chloride : Cesium moves easily through the air. Cesium dissolves easily in water.
0コメント