Radium's roles include radioactive decay, medical and industrial applications of value, chemical tracers, and the manufacture of luminescent objects.
First and foremost, radium's most notable role is radioactive decay. Radium is one of the radioactive elements present in nature, and its radioactive decay produces a series of secondary radioactive substances, such as radon gas, bismuth, and lead. These decay products will continue to emit rays and have a certain degree of radio toxicity.
Secondly, because the rays radiated by radium are able to penetrate substances, it makes radium have medical and industrial applications. In the medical field, radium has been used to treat cancer. Early radium therapy techniques used radium's radioactivity to kill malignant tumor cells, but due to the problem of side effects, this therapy has been replaced by safer radiation therapy methods. In addition, radium is used for measurement and detection in certain industries, such as radiation measurement instruments and control systems for nuclear reactors.
In addition, radium is used in scientific research as a chemical tracer. Because radium has a long half-life, it can be used to track and study the behavior of substances in the environment. For example, in earth sciences, scientists use the properties of radium to study aspects such as water flow and groundwater circulation, thus revealing the process of material transportation on earth.
Also, radium has historically been used to create luminescent objects. In the early 20th century, radium compounds were found to have fluorescent properties and were used to make a variety of luminescent objects, such as hands and numbers on clocks, beacons, and watches. However, the safety concerns associated with radium's radioactivity were gradually recognized, and this use was phased out in favor of safer luminescent materials such as tritium or phosphor.
Precautions for using radium
1. Radium is a radioactive element with radiation hazards. When contacting and operating radium and its derivatives, you must strictly follow the radiation protection and safety norms and take appropriate protective measures, such as wearing protective gloves and clothing.
2. Avoid inhaling radon gas, a decay product of radium. Radon gas, a decay product of radium, is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas, which increases the danger when it gathers in a closed space. Therefore, when coming into contact with radium or equipment storing radon, ensure good ventilation and take necessary protective measures.
3. Avoid ingesting radium. Radium can enter the human body through contaminated food and water sources and cause radiation damage. Ensure the safety and hygiene of food and drinking water, and avoid ingesting substances that may be contaminated by radium.