Oganesson is a highly unstable and radioactive element, with the atomic number 118. Due to its extreme reactivity, it is not found naturally on Earth and must be created synthetically in laboratories. When handling oganesson, strict safety precautions must be followed to prevent exposure to its hazardous radioactive properties.
Since oganesson is a short-lived element with a half-life of mere milliseconds, direct contact with it is not a realistic concern for most individuals. However, even brief exposure to oganesson can be dangerous due to its intense radioactivity. Therefore, it is crucial to leave the handling of oganesson to trained professionals in controlled laboratory settings to ensure safety and minimize the risk of harmful radiation exposure.
What is oganesson?
Oganesson, symbol Og is a highly radioactive element that belongs to the group of superheavy synthetic elements. It was first synthesized in 2002 by a team of Russian and American scientists at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, USA. Oganesson is an elusive element with a very short half-life, making it challenging to study.
The dangers of oganesson
Oganesson is an extremely hazardous element due to its intense radioactivity. It is classified as a *transuranium element*, which means it is beyond uranium on the periodic table. The element is highly unstable and decays rapidly, releasing alpha particles. These particles can damage living tissues and increase the risk of developing cancer. Like other radioactive elements, exposure to oganesson can have severe health effects.
Radioactive properties
Oganesson has a half-life of only a few milliseconds, which means it quickly decays into other elements. Its instability is due to the fact that its nucleus contains too many protons and neutrons, causing it to be inherently unstable. The rapid decay of oganesson is a characteristic of superheavy elements, making their study difficult and limited.
Health hazards
Direct contact with oganesson is virtually impossible due to its short half-life and limited availability. However, even brief exposure to its radioactive decay products can be dangerous. The alpha particles emitted during the decay process have a short range but can cause significant damage if they enter the body. Inhalation or ingestion of oganesson or its decay products can lead to radiation poisoning and long-term health issues.
Safe handling of oganesson
Due to the extremely hazardous nature of oganesson, there are strict safety protocols in place for its handling. Only highly-trained professionals in specialized laboratories can work with oganesson and its derivatives. The element is kept in sealed containers and handled remotely using robotic systems to minimize the risk of exposure to radiation.
Protective measures
Scientists who work with oganesson or its compounds use specialized protective clothing, including gloves, masks, and radiation shielding materials. These measures are essential to prevent any direct contact with the element or its decay products. Specialized equipment and strict containment protocols ensure that oganesson remains isolated and poses minimal risk to researchers and the environment.
Oganesson, the synthetic superheavy element, is not safe to touch or come into direct contact with. Its intense radioactivity and short half-life make it highly hazardous to human health. Strict safety protocols, protective clothing, and specialized laboratories are necessary to handle oganesson safely. While oganesson may not pose a direct threat in everyday life due to its limited availability, it serves as an important element in scientific research to further our understanding of the periodic table and the fundamental properties of matter.
While oganesson is highly unstable and radioactive, with a very short half-life, it is highly unlikely that anyone would come into contact with it or be able to touch it. Therefore, it can be considered safe in the sense that the general public is not at risk of exposure to oganesson.