Dirty bomb attack: 10 radioactive isotopes and their common usage

Many radioactive isotopes have important, everyday use. That can make them accessible to individuals looking to devise a dirty bomb

January 13, 2017 08:51 PM

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By Scott Masiella, Police1 Special Contributor

Many radioactive isotopes have important, everyday use. That can make them accessible to individuals looking to devise a dirty bomb. Here are radioactive isotopes and their common usage.

Radioactive Isotope	Use
Americium-241	smoke detectors
Californium-252	gauges that detect oil and water underground cancer treatment
Cesium-137	calibration of radiation detection equipment cancer treatment industrial gauges blood irradiation
Cobalt-60	cancer treatment leveling gauges x-ray in non-destructive testing food and beverage irradiation blood irradiation
Iridium-192	non-destructive testing Cancer treatment
Plutonium-238	electrical components in satellites nuclear weapons
Polonium-210	devices to eliminate static electricity
Radium-226	medical diagnosis and treatment naturally occurring radiation in hydraulic fracturing waste antique clocks
Strontium-90	power source for space vehicles, remote weather stations, and navigational beacons industrial gauges cancer treatment
Thorium-232	lantern mantles welding rods