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This map displays locations where Americium is known to be present.


Environmental Health WebMaps

Americium

Molecules

CAS ID #: 007440-35-9

Americium is a man-made radioactive chemical. Americium has no naturally occurring or stable isotopes. Two important isotopes of americium are americium 241 (241Am) (read as americium two-forty-one) and 243Am. Both isotopes have the same chemical behavior in the environment and the same chemical effects on your body.

241Americium is used in ionization smoke detectors. There is no broad commercial use for 243Am.

Nuclear reactors, nuclear explosions, or the radioactive transformation of plutonium can produce both 241Am and 243Am. These isotopes transform by giving off alpha radiation and turning into radionuclides of other elements. The half-life of a radioactive material is the time it takes for half of the material to give off its radiation. The half-life of 241Am is 432 years and that of 243Am is 7,370years.


Related Resources for Americium

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    Prioritization of substances based on a combination of their frequency, toxicity, and potential for human exposure at National Priorities List (NPL) sites.

  • Minimal Risk Levels (MRL)

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  • Public Health Statement

    Provides an ongoing assessment of the exposure of the U.S. population to environmental chemicals using biomonitoring.

  • ToxFAQsTM

    Fact sheet that answers the most frequently asked questions about a contaminant and its health effects.

  • Toxicological Profile

    Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for a hazardous substance.

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