What makes cobalt-60 such a dangerous isotope?

Radioactive Co-60 is produced commercially through linear acceleration for use in medicine and industry. Co-60 also is a byproduct of nuclear reactor operations, when metal structures, such as steel rods, are exposed to neutron radiation. What form is it in? read more

The properties of cobalt-60 that make it dangerous are the same ones that make it so useful. The short half-life means that only small amounts are needed to produce the desired radiation, which is mainly a high energy gamma ray. read more

The properties of cobalt-60 that make it dangerous are the same ones that make it so useful. The short half-life means that only small amounts are needed to produce the desired radiation, which is mainly a high energy gamma ray. It has been used in various medical and industrial applications. read more