| Agent Name |
Cobalt-60 |
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| CAS Number |
10198-40-0 |
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| Formula |
Co |
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| Major Category |
Physical Agents |
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| Synonyms |
See "Cobalt" CAS # 7440-48-4; |
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| Category |
Radionuclides |
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| Description |
Silver-white metal; |
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| Sources/Uses |
Cobalt-59 is the naturally occurring stable form of cobalt. Of the 9 major radioactive isotopes, only Co-57 and Co-60 have half-lives longer than 80 days. Cobalt-60 is formed by neutron activation in nuclear reactors and particle accelerators. [Argonne] Co-60 is used in medicine for instrument sterilization and radiation therapy for cancer; Used in industrial radiography and irradiation of food and grain; [Waltar, Appendix A-D] |
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| Comments |
Source: Neutron activation of stable Co-59;
Half-Life: 5.3 years
Effective Half-Life: 10 days
Specific Activity: 1,100 Ci/g
Decay Mode: Beta
GI Absorption: 5-30%
Lung Clearance Half-Time: >100 days for oxides, hydroxides, halides, and nitrates; 10-100 days for other compounds;
Critical Organ: Total body
Internal Toxicity: High
Annual Limit on Intake: 0.030 mCi
Tenth-Value Layer: 34.8 mm Pb
Gamma Ray Constant: 13.2 R/h @ 1 cm per mCi
Radiation Energy (MeV): Beta 0.313 (99.8%); Gamma 1.17 (99.8%); Gamma 1.33 (100%)
Radiation Accidents: 31 accidents reported with 211 injuries and 30 deaths plus C0-60 was involved in 16 incidents of "Melting of Radioactive Materials";
[See Glossary for references.] See "Radiation, ionizing."
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| Reference Link |
Cobalt | Radiation Protection Program | US EPA |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: COBALT, RADIOACTIVE IONIZING RADIATION
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