Phosphorus 32 Scientific Report

This scientific report is about Phosphorus 32 and how it is used in nuclear medicine. In order to understand the use of phosphorus 32 this report will be informative about the atomic structure, radiation, it’s features and how it occurs, along with radioactive decay. Subsequently, the report will explain how phosphorus 32 treats cancer, the social and technological factors influencing and not influencing this application and finally the future impacts.

Firstly, to understand phosphorus 32 (also known as P-32) is used to treat cancer, the atomic structure of the atom, isotopes and the decay must be understood. The structure of an atom is represented in the Bohrs model of an atom. The Bohrs model shows the centre of the atom called a nucleus

On the periodic table of elements, all the elements are on there in order of their atomic numbers (as shown in figure 2). The number of protons determines the atomic number of an element. Phosphorus 32 (also known as P32) has an atomic number of 15; on the period table 15 is phosphorus. This means phosphorous is the original element of P32 as it is an

Phosphorus 32 treats some cancers in the form of sodium phosphates, a liquid containing the isotope. P32 is mainly used to treat cancers like Polycythemia Vera (PV). Polycythemia Vera is when the bone marrow makes more red blood cells than it is supposed too. During the application of treating this cancer, P32 will be injected into the bloodstream via the arm, when it is injected the isotope will be absorbed into the bone marrow. Phosphorus 32 will then start to decay with its half-life of 14.29 days and emit beta particles. The beta particles kill the unwanted red blood cells by damaging the DNA of cells when hitting them, this means the blood cells will not be able to multiply. P32 has a special combined chemical-radiological mechanism, which enables it too cause double strand breakage of DNA (Yolan Cheng and John M. Abraham, N.D). Additionally, After 14 days of radiation with P32 the isotope will have decayed into a more stable atom S32, so ultimately after 14 days there will be less radiation in the body. P32 is able to treat Polycythemia Vera and kill cells as it is a beta emitter and undergoes beta decay. Beta radiation is necessary for treating cancer as radioactive beta isotopes can eliminate certain cells by penetrating through living matter and damage nearby cells. Furthermore, as it is an ionising radiation it breaks chemical bonds of cells and the DNA of cells, resulting in