×

UPSC Courses

DNA banner

DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 07 February, 2023

  • 5 Min Read

Caesium-137 - Aspire IAS

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.

Read Also: Extended Reality (XR) Startup Program

Source: The Indian Express


Formation Day

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry—celebrate their Formation Day. This date marks an important milestone in India

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kachhua Sanctuary, is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. It is recognised as India’s first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary, established to conserve endangered turtle species and support the ecological health of the Ganga River. Location and Extent The sanctuary co

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The aim is to prepare student

Sal Tree

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for combating rising pollution levels. Their findings highlight the tree’s superior capacity to trap dust, absorb gases, and cleanse the air compared

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nuclear policy and has far-reaching implications for geopolitics, the environment, and international security. Status of Global Nuclear Weapon Testing

DNA

03 Dec,2025

Toppers

Search By Date

Newsletter Subscription
SMS Alerts

Important Links

UPSC GS Mains Crash Course - RAW Prelims Answer Key 2024