Cobalt-60

Cobalt
What is cobalt?

Cobalt is a hard ferromagnetic, silver-white, hard, lustrous, brittle element. It is a member of group VIII of the
periodic table. Like iron, it can be magnetized. It is similar to iron and nickel in its physical properties. The
element is active chemically, forming many compounds. Cobalt is stable in air and unaffected by water, but is
slowly attacked by dilute acids.

Cobalt in the Environment

Most of the Earth's cobalt is in its core. Cobalt is of relatively low abundance in the Earth's crust and in natural
waters, from which it is precipitated as the highly insoluble cobalt sulfide CoS. Although the average level of
cobalt in soils is 8 ppm, there are soils with as little as 0.1 ppm and others with as much as 70 ppm. In the
marine environment cobalt is needed by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and other nitrogen fixing organisms.
Cobalt is not found as a free metal and is generally found in the form of ores. Cobalt is usually not mined
alone, and tends to be produced as a by-product of nickel and copper mining activities. The main ores of cobalt
are cobaltite, erythrite, glaucodot, and skutterudite. The world's major producers of cobalt are the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, mainland China, Zambia, Russia and Australia. It is also found in Finland, Azerbaijan,
and Kazakhstan. World production is 17,000 tonnes per year.
 Uses of Cobalt-60
Cobalt-60 emits beta and gamma Radiation and is a radioisotope of Cobalt-59

Cobalt 60 is used for cancer treatments.It is especially useful for brain tumors as it is
very precise and can be used for very small and precise areas within the brain.iT
delivers high doses of radiation to tumors with very limited damage to the surrounding
tissues and organs
It is done by scanning the patient's area with the brain tumor.They are then placed into
a safe room with a secure frame around their head to protect the other areas. They
then blast 200 gamma rays into the area to kill the tumor with little damage to
surrounding areas.It has few side effects as it very precise.This has allowed people to
treat their cancer very effectively for the past 60 years
 Risks of using Cobalt-60
The half of Cobalt-60 is 5.27 years. As previously established, Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope therefore has
radioactive decay. Cobalt-60 decays Gamma rays and Beta particles. External exposure to large amounts of
Cobalt-60 can cause burns to your skin, acute radiation sickness and even death.

Risks limiting the use of Cobalt-60

The dangers and risks involved in using Cobalt-60 limits the uses of the radioactive isotope. The risks and
dangers cause the industry to create precaution mechanism to prevent the workers from receiving radiation
and therefore limiting how much and how they use Cobalt-60
 Risks of Cobalt-60
Risks Harm Prevention Action if risk occurs

Gamma Rays Acute radiation sickness and
death in extreme cases
Use a mask, safety glasses and a full Remove all clothing in order to
body suit to prevent most of the radiation decontaminate. This simple action
or you can just wear a lead suit. If can remove up to 90% of the
exposed to Cobalt-60 use the mask and radiation.
try to breathe at a slower pace in order
to reduce the amount of radioactive
material you breathe. The distance
between you and the radioactive isotope
can prevent the amount of exposure you
recieve. The gamma rays must travel
through the quantity of air between you
and the cobalt-60 therefore it has a
slower penetrating ability.

Beta Particles External exposure burns to the Use a mask, safety class and a full body Remove all clothing in order to
risk suit to prevent most of the radiation. The decontaminate. This simple action
distance between you and the can remove up to 90% of the
radioactive isotope can prevent the radiation.
amount of exposure you recieve. The
beta particles must travel through the
quantity of air between you and the
cobalt-60 therefore it has a slower
penetrating ability.
Evaluation of Cobalt
Negatives
All ionizing radiation, including that of cobalt-60, is known to cause cancer. Therefore, exposures to gamma
radiation from cobalt-60 result in an increased risk of cancer. Because it emits such strong gamma rays,
external exposure to cobalt-60 is also considered a significant threat. The magnitude of the health risk depends
on the quantity of cobalt-60 involved and on exposure conditions:
● length of exposure
● distance from the source (for external exposure)
● whether the cobalt-60 was ingested or inhaled

Other Problems include:

● There are radioactive waste materials produced during the process of producing Cobalt-60
●
● It is difficult to dispose of spent Cobalt-60 because it has a half life of 5.3 years.
●
● Arguments say it does not always kill all the harmful bacteria but does destroy vitamins
● External exposure to large sources of Cobalt-60 can cause skin burns, radiation sickness or death.
Most Co-60 that is ingested is excreted in the feces; however, a small amount is absorbed by the liver,
kidneys, and bones.
● Prolonged exposure to airborne particles may result in coughing, gasping, and respiratory sensitivity.
Evaluation of Cobalt (cont)
Positives
● Able to sterilise items that would become damaged by heat-sterilisation
●
● Able to extend shelf life of foods that have been sterilised in this manner
● Sensitive, precise monitoring equipment
● Sterilization of medical/food supplies
● Examination of buildings/pipes / weld for faults or cracks.
● Its long half-life means that it can be left within metal objects so that routine checks can be made
without replacement,
● It is convenient and cost-effective for industrial use
● Its radiation emission levels are relatively low, making exposure to workers in an industrial environment
safer.
Bibliography

http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-treatment/treatments/stereotactic-radiosurgery/gamma-kni
fe.html

https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/co.htm

https://radioactiveisotopes.weebly.com/benefits-of-cobalt-60.html

https://radioactiveisotopes.weebly.com/problems-with-cobalt-60.html