cesium Cs 137

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-012529",
  "term": "cesium Cs 137",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definition": "A radioactive isotope of cesium with an atomic mass of 139 and potential application in radiotherapy. Cesium Cs 137 is prevalent due to its spontaneous production, which occurs as a result of nuclear fission of other radioactive materials, such as uranium and plutonium. This radionuclide has a relatively long half-life, 30 years, and decays by emitting beta particles. Both Cs 137 and its metastable nuclear isomer, barium-137m, emit gamma radiation of moderate energy and so are used in sterilization procedures in the food industry or in hospital environments.",
  "synonyms": [
    "cesium, isotope of mass 137",
    "cesium-137",
    "Cs-137"
  ],
  "references": [
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/cesium-cs-137/"
}