Berkelium

Agent Name
Berkelium
CAS Number
7440-40-6
Formula
Bk
Major Category
Physical/Radiation
Category
Radionuclides
Description
A man-made radioactive metal with a melting point of 986 degrees C; Known isotopes have mass numbers of 240 and 242-251; Bk-247 is the isotope with the longest half life; [Merck Index # 1158]
Sources/Uses
Bk-247 is one of the transuranic wastes (TRU) produced in nuclear reactors by neutron capture. [Argonne]
Comments
Most Important Radionuclide: Bk-247
Source: Nuclear reactors or particle accelerators;
Half-Life: 1,400 years
Specific Activity (mCi/gm): 1.1
Decay Mode: Alpha
Internal Toxicity: Very High
Annual Limit on Intake: 0.0000009 mCi
Average Radiation Energy (MeV): Alpha 5.6; Beta 0.061; Gamma 0.11; [Argonne]
[See Glossary for references.] See "Radiation, ionizing."
Biomedical References

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Other Information
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