Radium-224

**Semantic type:** Element, Ion, or Isotope

**Definition:** A short-lived, alpha-emitting isotope found in ground water and soils, Radium-224 has been used in biomedical treatments. Radium-224 in drinking water is a potential health risk due to its carcinogenic effects. In the first days after intake, radium heavily concentrates in endosteal bone. Because of the 3.5-day half-life, most Ra-224 decays while on bone surfaces, possibly inducing sarcomas in cells within range of the emitted alpha particles. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 224Ra - RADIUM RA-224 - Ra-224