strontium-90

…of which the longest-lived is strontium-90 (28.9-year half-life). This isotope, formed by nuclear explosions, is considered the most dangerous constituent of fallout. Because of its chemical resemblance to calcium, it is assimilated in bones and teeth, where it continues ejecting electrons that cause radiation injury by damaging bone marrow, impairing…

Examples are cesium-137 and strontium-90, which have 27- and 28-year half-lives. The latter presents the greater hazard to animal life since it is chemically similar to calcium and may replace the calcium in certain foods and ultimately become concentrated in the body. The radioactive material in the stratosphere eventually…

…tritium and cesium-137, the isotopes strontium-90, iodine-131, and cerium-144 emit beta particles that are not distributed evenly in the body. Strontium-90 releases only beta particles, while iodine-131 and cerium-144 release both beta particles and gamma rays, but their toxicities are primarily caused by the beta particles. These radioisotopes produce toxicities…

…and long-lived radioactive isotopes, notably strontium-90, which can replace calcium in foods and become concentrated in bones and teeth. Contaminated agricultural lands near Chernobyl will be unsafe for thousands of years, though some of these areas continue to be occupied and farmed. Several thousand premature deaths from cancer are expected…