Radiation Safety Practice Exam

Which radioactive element is known to accumulate in bones?

1. Depleted uranium

2. Radium

3. Iodine

4. Strontium

The correct answer is: Radium

Radium is the radioactive element known to accumulate in bones due to its chemical similarity to calcium. When radium is ingested or inhaled, it can replace calcium in bone tissue, leading to its incorporation into the bone matrix. This accumulation makes radium particularly hazardous since it can emit radiation over long periods, potentially causing damage to the bone structure and increasing the risk of bone cancers and other health issues associated with radiation exposure. Other elements such as strontium also have a tendency to imitate calcium and accumulate in bone, but radium is specifically noted for its health risks related to bone integration due to its radioactive properties. Strontium can also be a significant concern, especially with its isotope strontium-90, which is often discussed in the context of nuclear fallout. However, in the context of the question regarding which radioactive element is most notorious for this behavior, radium stands out due to its historical usage and health ramifications.