What is the half-life of Iridium-192?

Iridium-192 has a half-life of approximately 75 days. This means that after 75 days, half of the original quantity of Iridium-192 will have decayed into another substance. Understanding the half-life of a radioactive isotope is crucial in radiation safety and management, as it helps in determining how long the material remains hazardous and how frequently it needs to be monitored or handled. A half-life of 75 days indicates that Iridium-192 is relatively short-lived compared to isotopes with longer half-lives, which can remain active for much longer periods. This characteristic makes Iridium-192 particularly useful in medical applications, such as brachytherapy for cancer treatment, where precise and timed delivery of radiation is essential.