| Agent Name |
Potassium-40 |
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| CAS Number |
13966-00-2 |
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| Formula |
K |
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| Major Category |
Physical Agents |
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| Category |
Radionuclides |
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| Description |
A naturally occurring isotope that comprises about 0.012% of total potassium; K-39 (93% of potassium) and K-39 (7% of potassium) are not radioactive. Elemental potassium is a soft, silver-white metal. [Argonne] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Common element in the soil, the ocean, and in plants and animals; Present in the minerals carnallite, feldspar, saltpeter, greensand, and sylvite; [Argonne] |
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| Comments |
Source: Naturally occurring;
Half-Life: 1.3 billion years;
Specific Activity: 0.0000071 Ci/g
Decay Mode: Beta, Electron Capture;
GI Absorption: "Almost completely absorbed"
Lung Clearance Half-Time: Days
Internal Toxicity: High
Annual Limit on Intake: 0.3 mCi
Tenth-Value Layer: 38.7 mm Pb
Gamma Ray Constant: 0.7 R/h @ 1 cm per mCi
Radiation Energy (MeV): Beta 1.31 (89%); Gamma 1.46 (11%);
[See Glossary for references.] See "Radiation, ionizing."
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Half Life |
30 days; [Argonne] |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: POTASSIUM, RADIOACTIVE IONIZING RADIATION
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