Is Phosphorus 32 Harmful

Phosphorus-32 is an energetic beta emitter which can penetrate up to 0.8 cm into living skin tissue. Therefore, this isotope poses an external (skin) dose hazard to persons as well as a potential internal hazard.

What does phosphorus 32 do in the body?

It is used in the laboratory to label DNA and proteins. It has also been used to treat a blood disorder called polycythemia vera and certain types of leukemia, but it is not commonly used anymore. Phosphorus P 32 gives off radiation that damages the DNA in a cell, which can cause the cell to die.

Is Phosphorus 32 natural or synthetic?

Phosphorus 32 (P-32) is the phosphorus isotope whose nucleus consists of 15 protons and 17 neutrons. It disintegrates by emitting a β- (1.71 MeV) particle in 32S with a half-life of 14.263 days. It is an artificial radioactive substance obtained by neutron bombardment of stable phosphorus.