Strontium is a silvery metal that rapidly turns yellowish in air. It is found as a free metal in nature and is not dangerous. This is because the naturally occurring strontium is not radioactive. But strontium has some isotopes that are highly unstable and potentially dangerous. Strontium-90 is one such isotope of strontium.
Strontium-90 is produced as a result of a nuclear reaction. It became famous in the 1960s when it was produced as the result of an atomic bomb testing. In fact, when a nuclear explosion takes place, the tens of millions of tons of earth and rock that are thrown skywards contain strontium-90.
Strontium-90 contaminates air, water, soil and vegetation; severe radiations produced in the process can sicken both animals and humans and can even result in deaths.
Strontium-90 affects human bone tissues, marrow and blood. It can cause leukaemia and bone cancer too.
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