answersLogoWhite

0

Very nearly 100% of cesium found in nature is not radioactive. Nevertheless, cesium has the highest number of isotopes of any element, 32, and all but one are radioactive.

There are three radioactive isotopes of cesium produced in fission, and when one hears with concern that cesium was released in a nuclear accident, the reference is to two of these with half lives long enough to remain for some time.

A tiny amount of cesium-137, a fission byproduct, is present in soil worldwide as a result of nuclear bomb testing. This material has a half life of about 37 years, and so is declining. Very small amounts are lost from nuclear power plants from time to time, and there was fair amount lost into the environment near the Chernobyl plant; in fact there was enough that mushrooms, which concentrate cesium, have historically been considered unsafe to eat if they grew in that area, because of the amount they contained.

Cesium-135, which has a half life of nearly three million years, is also an important byproduct of fission. Since its immediate precursor, xenon-135, has a large neutron capture cross section, most of it is changed into xenon-136, and not much cesium-135 is produced in nuclear reactors, where it is only about 0.7% of the waste product. In nature, however, the xenon-135 nearly all decays into cesium, and over 6% of the byproduct of the waste of natural uranium fission is cesium-135. This being the case, it can be found in traces in uranium ore deposits.
There are different isotopes of Caesium, most of them radioactive. Still the type of radiation differs strongly between isotops, from practically harmless to extremly dangerous. As long as you don't know which isotope of Cs you are handling you will not know what radiation precautions to follow.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What happens if cesium touches water?

When cesium touches water, it reacts violently, producing explosive hydrogen gas and igniting the cesium. This is due to the highly exothermic reaction between cesium and water, which releases a large amount of heat. It is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted.


Are California Condors dangerous to humans?

Not normally, but Humans are dangerous to them.


Are toucans dangerous to humans?

no I am pretty sure that they are not dangerous to humans


What happens if you mix water with Cesium?

When water is mixed with cesium, a highly reactive alkali metal, a violent chemical reaction occurs. The cesium reacts with water to produce cesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. This reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases a significant amount of heat, and the hydrogen gas produced can ignite, potentially leading to a dangerous explosion. Extreme caution should be taken when handling cesium and water to prevent accidents.


Are toucans considered dangerous to humans?

no I am pretty sure that they are not dangerous to humans


How are oil tankers dangerous to humans?

oil tankers are dangerous to humans by the pollution of the environment


Is pregnecy for a mouse dangerous?

Is It dangerous for humans to get pregnant? NO!


Are staffy cross dangerous?

Only as dangerous as their humans.


What is the name for sulfur and cesium?

The compound formed between sulfur and cesium is called cesium sulfide.


Are mongoose dangerous to Humans?

no


What is the dangerous of the lions on the humans and on the forests?

discus for me about the dangerous of lions


How dangerous is sulphur dioxide in food for humans?

its super dangerous