What is the specific activity of Co-60?
The average specific activity of 60Co in continental aquatic sediments is in the region of 1 Bq. kg-1 dry weight (Eyrolle et al., 2008). Cobalt distribution in the abiotic compartments of continental aquatic systems is characterised by the strong affinity of the element for sediment.
What can cobalt-60 be used for?
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 type of radiation does cobalt-60 give off?
gamma rays
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.
How is cobalt-60 used in industry?
Cobalt-60 is widely used as a medical and industrial source of radiation. Medical use consists primarily of cancer radiotherapy. Industrial uses include testing welds and castings and a large variety of measurement and test instruments, such as leveling devices and thickness gauges.
Why is the half-life of cobalt-60 important?
The time required for a radioactive substance to lose 50 percent of its radioactivity by decay is known as the half-life. The half-life of cobalt-60 is about 5.3 years. How are people exposed to cobalt-60? Most exposure to cobalt-60 takes place intentionally during medical tests and treatments.
How is cobalt-60 used in pest control?
Cobalt-60 is the key component of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), a process aimed at eliminating or, at a minimum, suppressing the population of insects that spread disease like Zika virus. In this case it’s like a high-tech form of insect birth control for mosquitoes.
How does cobalt-60 affect 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.
What is the history of cobalt-60?
Cobalt was discovered by Georg Brandt, a Swedish chemist, in 1739. Brandt was attempting to prove that the ability of certain minerals to color glass blue was due to an unknown element and not to bismuth, as was commonly believed at the time. Cobalt’s primary ores are cobaltite (CoAsS) and erythrite (Co3(AsO4)2).
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