Radioisotopes Commonly Used in Devices by Industry

Americum-241
Used in many smoke detectors for homes and businesses to measure levels of toxic lead in dried paint samples, to ensure uniform thickness in rolling processes like steel and paper production, and to help determine where oil wells should be drilled
Fact Sheet

Cadmium-109
Used to analyze metal alloys for checking stock and scrap sorting.

Californium-252
Used to inspect airline luggage for hidden explosives, to gauge moisture content of soil in the road construction and building industries, and to measure the moisture of materials stored in soils.

Carbon-14
Used as an important research tool. In pharmaceutical research it is used as a tracer to ensure that potential drugs are metabolized without forming harmful by-products. It is also used in biological research, agriculture, pollution control, and archeology.

Cesium-137
Used to treat cancerous tumors, to measure correct patient dosages of radioactive pharmaceuticals, to measure and control the liquid flow in oil pipelines, to tell researchers whether oil wells are plugged by sand, and to ensure the right fill level for packages of food, drugs, and other products. (The products in these packages do not become radioactive.)
Fact Sheet

Cobalt-60
Used to sterilize surgical instruments, and to improve the safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil burners. Used in cancer treatment, food irradiation, gauges, and radiography.
Fact Sheet

Curium-244
Used in mining to analyze material excavated from pits and slurries from drilling operations.

Iridium-192
Used to test the integrity of pipeline welds, boilers and aircraft parts and in brachytherapy/tumor irradiation.

Iron-55
Used to analyze electroplating solutions and to detect the presence of sulphur in the air. Used in metabolism research.

Krypton-85
Used in indicator lights in appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, stereos, and coffee makers; used to gauge the thickness of thin plastics and sheet metal, rubber, textiles and paper, and to measure dust and pollutant levels.

Nickel-63
Used to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and current surge protectors in electronic devices, and in electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.

Plutonium-238
Has powered more than 20 NASA spacecraft since 1972.
Fact Sheet

Polonium-210
Reduces the static charge in production of photographic film and other materials.

Promethium-147
Used in electric blanket thermostats, and to gauge thickness of thin plastics, thin sheet metal, rubber, textile and paper.

Radium-226
Makes lighting rods more effective.
Fact Sheet

Sodium-24
Used to locate leaks in industrial pipelines, and in oil well studies.

Sulphur-35
Used in survey meters by schools, the military and emergency management authorities. Also used in cigarette manufacturing sensors and medical treatment.

Thallium-204
Measures the dust and pollutant levels on filter paper, and gauges the thickness of plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles, and paper.

Thoriated Tungsten
Used in electric arc welding rods in construction, aircraft, petrochemical and food processing equipment industries. They produce easier starting, greater arc stability and less metal contamination.

Thorium-229
Helps fluorescent lights last longer.
Fact Sheet

Thorium-230
Provides coloring and fluorescence in colored glazes and glassware.

Tritium (H3);Used in self-luminous aircraft and commercial exit signs, for luminous dials, gauges and wrist watches, to produce luminous paint, and for geological prospecting and hydrology.
Fact Sheet

Uranium-235
Fuel for nuclear power plants and naval nuclear propulsion systems, and used to produce fluorescent glassware, a variety of colored glazes, and wall tiles.
Fact Sheet