Caesium-137 - Aspire IAS

Tags:
GS-III
S&T
S&T

Caesium-137

A previously lost eight-millimeter capsule was recently found in Western Australia.
It contains radioactive Caesium-137 that was released after the nuclear tragedies at Chernobyl and Fukushima.

Important things about Caesium

Caesium is a silvery-white, soft, malleable metal that forms bonds with chlorides to produce a crystalline powder with no difficulty.
The only stable form of cesium that exists naturally in the environment is 133Cs (read as cesium one-thirty-three).
Two radioactive forms of cesium, 134Cs, and 137Cs, can be created by nuclear explosions or the uranium breakdown in fuel components. The decay of both isotopes produces non-radioactive elements.
The most prevalent radioactive type of caesium, caesium-137, emits beta and gamma radiation, both of which are dangerous to people.

Environmental and Health Concerns:

Health:

Caesium-137 can cause severe illness, including burns and acute radiation sickness, when it is touched.
Because Caesium-137 contains high-energy gamma radiation, exposure to it from the outside can raise one's risk of developing cancer. Long-term exposure may possibly be fatal.
It is possible for the radioactive material to be disseminated in the soft tissues, particularly muscle tissue, through internal exposure to it through ingesting or inhalation.

Environment:

Before sinking to the ground or water, cesium in the air can travel over great distances.
In water, most cesium compounds dissolve.
The majority of cesium compounds are extremely soluble, and cesium binds tightly to damp soils. Cesium does not penetrate the soil very deeply. It is a radioactive material and can make the soil, and water radioactive on dumping irresponsibly.

Source: The Indian Express

Join Our Telegram

Extended Reality (XR) Startup Program

Sickle Cell Disease - Aspire IAS

World bank logistic performance index 2023

28 Apr, 23
SHARE

India is now ranked 38th out of 139 nations in the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) 2023 of the World Bank. From its previous rankings of 44th in 2018 and 54th in 2014, this is a notable improvement. Earlier, the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report 2022 was published by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. About Logi

Smuggling of Gold

28 Apr, 23
SHARE

Airports discovered more than 63% of this illegal gold. The Department of Revenue Intelligence recently conducted the Golden Dawn Operation across India, seizing 101.7 kg of illegal gold valued at Rs 51 crore. Despite the fact that India receives a legal import of about 800-1,000 tonnes of gold each year, the illicit market is thought to be

India-Thailand Relations

27 Apr, 23
SHARE

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the ongoing bilateral defence cooperation at the 8th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Cultural ties and mutual cooperation that have been shaped by thousands of years of lasting historical and cultural ties characterise India and Thailand relations. Highlight

Translocation of Elephants

27 Apr, 23
SHARE

The Kerala government's appeal of the order of the Kerala High Court is rejected by the Supreme Court. The Kerala government's appeal against the Kerala High Court's directive to move Arikomban (Wild Elephant), the "rice tusker" of Munnar, to the Parambikulam tiger reserve was recently dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Global Buddhist Summit

26 Apr, 23
SHARE

Global Buddhist Summit In order to improve diplomatic and cultural ties with other nations, the Ministry of Culture recently organised the First Global Buddhist Summit 2023 in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). About the summit "Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis" is