strontium-89

isotope

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Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Strontium-89 (Sr-89) is a radioactive isotope of the chemical element strontium. It has a half-life of approximately 51 days and emits beta radiation. Strontium-89 is primarily used in the treatment of bone cancer because it targets bone tissue, delivering its radiation before decaying within a few months.1

While strontium-90 is a more commonly discussed isotope due to its presence in nuclear fallout and its hazardous nature because it mimics calcium and deposits in bones, strontium-89 has a specific medical application.21

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strontium
Occurrence, properties, and uses
Strontium-89 is employed in the treatment of bone cancer, as it targets bone tissues, delivers its beta radiation, and then decays in a few months’ time (half-life 51 days).
Read More
Strontium-89 is employed in the treatment of bone cancer, as it targets bone tissues, delivers its beta radiation, and then decays in a few months’ time (half-life 51 days).
Read More