Cobalt-60
Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of Cobalt with a half life of 5.2714 years. It is man-made using neutron activation of cobalt-59. Cobalt-60 releases beta and gamma particles
| Formula | Co |
|---|---|
| Hazards |  |
| Molecular Weight | 59.933816 g/mol |
| PubChem CID | 61492 |
Uses
Cobalt-60 is used for radiotherapy, sterilisation of medical equipment, and as a tracer in various industrial applications.
Safety
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Symptoms
- Cobalt radiation can cause acute radiation syndrome:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bleeding
- Potentially a coma
Hazards Summary
- Exposure to high amount of cobalt-60 can cause heart, kidney, lung, and liver damage.
- Skin contact can result in dermatitis.
- Radiation causes cell damage and severe burns
- Radiation can cause death at high doses.