iodine135

Iodine-135 is a radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of approximately 6.57 hours. It is produced as a fission product in nuclear reactors and is a significant contributor to the radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants. Iodine-135 decays through beta minus decay to xenon-135, which is also radioactive with a half-life of 9.2 hours. The decay of iodine-135 to xenon-135 is an important process in nuclear reactors, as it affects the reactivity of the reactor core. The presence of iodine-135 in nuclear fuel can lead to the formation of xenon-135, which can absorb neutrons and reduce the reactor's efficiency. To mitigate this, some reactors are designed with xenon-135 removal systems to maintain optimal performance. Iodine-135 is also used in medical applications, such as in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, where it is administered to patients to reduce the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland. However, the use of iodine-135 in medicine is limited due to its short half-life and the need for specialized equipment to handle radioactive materials. Overall, iodine-135 plays a crucial role in nuclear energy and medicine, but its management and handling require careful consideration of its radioactive properties.