How to detect and deal with Co-60 exposure?

Experts can check to determine Co-60 in urine, even at very low concentrations, and determine their concentration in the human body.

How to detect and deal with Co-60 exposure

Co-60, a lost radioactive source in Vung Tau, is an artificial radioactive isotope of Coban, which can cause cancer if exposed. This is a source of gamma rays , so external exposure to a large source of Co-60 can cause skin burns, acute radioactive syndrome or death.

Radionuclides can be used in the medical field.(Artwork: www-nds.iaea.org)

Co-60 undergoes radioactive decay with the emission of beta particles and strong gamma rays, eventually decaying into non-radioactive nickel.The half-life of Co-60 is 5.27 years . This is a short enough time to focus on treatment measures for radioactive contaminated areas. In some cases, a contaminated area can only be reused after 10-20 years.

Co's artificial radioisotopes can be discharged into the environment through leaks or spills through nuclear power plants, in solid waste from these plants . The US Nuclear Coordination Committee (NRC) only allows the release of very small amounts of Co-60 into the air, or into sewers. They may be in the doctor's office, but only if there are special laboratory equipment.

How to contact Co-60

Exposure to Co-60 primarily appears intentionally when medically necessary or medical examination. These contact forms are strictly controlled to avoid adverse health effects and maximize the benefits of medical treatment.

Meanwhile, accidental exposure can occur when radioactive sources are lost, or improper medical and industrial radiation handling procedures . Although relatively rare, exposure also occurs due to negligence during the management process at metal recycling facilities and steel plants.

When medical or industrial radioactive sources are lost or stolen, they are called " orphaned " sources . Scientists warn that in some cases, we can hold it in our hands without knowing what it is and accidentally contacting. The radioactive source has a metal cover, so it is easy to mix with scrap metal and is not detected during transport to recycling facilities.

People can absorb food or water sources containing Co-60 or inhale radioactive dust. However, the main concern of Co-60 is posed when external exposure to strong gamma rays. This can happen if exposed to "orphaned" sources , or with waste from nuclear reactors.

A doctor is adjusting the cap of a Gamma Knife device for radiation therapy.Gamma Knife device uses Co-60 as a radiation source.(Photo: University of South Carolina Gamma Knife Center)

How to detect and deal with exposure

If released far from the environment, radioactive materials can be dangerous to humans . According to CNN, experts even consider Co-60 to be one of the "candidates" for making dirty bombs. In a 2012 speech, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned that a dirty Co-60 bomb exploded in a city that could cause panic as well as environmental damage and economy.

According to the US Environmental Agency, to know if you are near a radioactive source, special equipment is needed. If radioactive contamination is suspected, experts can check to determine Co-60 in the urine , even at very low levels, and determine their concentration in the human body.

Whole-body counting can detect gamma radiation emitted from Co-60 in the body . Some other measures can be used as handheld devices with defined functions on the skin and hair, technology to detect in soft tissue, blood, bone or stool.

According to Fox News, anyone who has direct contact with Co-60 has a risk of dying . People in the vicinity around the radioactive source may experience milder effects such as skin burns, blistering or digestive problems, vomiting, and dizziness.

" If someone is exposed (outside) to gamma rays, the treatment of the patient is external and will not be dangerous to health care workers or caregivers. Next, they will be contaminated, "said James O'Donnell, a nuclear health expert in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Most hospitals are equipped with exposure strategies and techniques that limit exposure to doctors, health workers or patients. At the hospital, when the detector detects radiation, the safety process requires suspension of all other activities, placing absorbent paper, covering objects with lead-covered shields, isolating people from dangerous areas and bathing for patients.

For emission sources, the protective shell is usually made of hard materials and has a rugged design , making them easy to open or chisel. At Rajasthan nuclear power plant, India, experts use robotic arms to touch Co-60. Outside the radioactive source, they placed a glass door that was nearly two meters thick and covered with lead to prevent leakage.