Radioactive cesium ion (Cs-137)

Radioactive cesium ions, most notably the isotope Cesium-137, are hazardous radionuclides produced during nuclear fission in reactors or weapons. Due to their chemical similarity to potassium, these ions are rapidly absorbed by the human body and distributed throughout soft tissues, particularly muscle and liver. Once internalized, they emit ionizing radiation in the form of beta particles and gamma rays, which can lead to significant cellular damage and an increased long-term risk of cancer. In clinical toxicology, these ions are the primary target for decorporation therapy using agents like Prussian Blue (ferric hexacyanoferrate). Prussian Blue acts as a non-absorbable ion exchanger in the gut, binding the cesium ions to prevent their reabsorption through the enterohepatic cycle and significantly reducing their biological half-life.

Other names

Cesium-137Radiocesium137CsCesium-134Radioactive caesium

Ion exchange and sequestration within the gastrointestinal tract to interrupt enterohepatic circulation and enhance fecal elimination.