How are radioactive materials used?
In medicine, radioactive materials are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Similarly, in biological and biomedical research, they are used to test new drugs and to study cellular functions and bone formation in mammals. In addition, radioactive materials are used in various industrial applications to protect food and blood supplies, increase the safety of roads and buildings, locate new energy sources, light emergency exits, warn of fires, and more. All users must be licensed by the NRC or by “Agreement States” authorized by the NRC. For additional information, see The Regulation and Use of Radioisotopes in Today’s World.
