How Do We Use Gamma Rays?

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By Will Kent

 Gamma rays are the byproduct of a decaying nuclei, but what do they do besides turn people in giant green rage monsters. Well, contrary to popular belief they don’t turn you into the Hulk. However gamma rays do have a wide range of uses, and are even used in the medical world as well as the food industry. Gamma rays are tricky tool to work with because of the ionizing radiation that can kill living skin tissue, and cause cancer. Because of these drawbacks doctors have to be very careful when working with them. Although gamma waves can cause cancer they are also used to cure it. Doctors use a machine called a gamma knife, which makes concentrated beams of the rays, to kill cancer cells in tumors. Along with the gamma knife gamma rays are used to sterilize tool used in hospitals. As a pose to using chemical treatments to clear items of bacteria, many hospitals have recently started using gamma rays as a alternative.




The thought of eating radiation on a daily basis can be a strange concept, but can make a lot of science when you dive a bit deeper into it. A type of gamma ray called cobalt 60 is used my many food producer to prolong the shelf life of their products. While cobalt 60 does create a small amounts of radiation it is well below what is considered dangerous, and food exposed to it is perfectly safe. Much like how in hospitals use gamma rays to sterilize their equipment, similar proses are used in producing food. The process is mainly used on meats to kill bacteria, insects and yeast. However vegetable and fruits are sometimes exposed to it to slow down rate at which fruit ripens. Because of cobalt 60 people are able to eat grapes in the winter and buy fresh meat and store it for a few days.



While scientists have already made extreme improvements on how and what we use gamma rays for, you have to wonder what future applications or changes might be made. The first main change that is likely to come in the foreseeable future, is the decreasing price of gamma knife. As the technology becomes older or changes are made it it often becomes more affordable. Because of this we can expect to see gamma knife treatments turning into more of a affordable option for people on lower income levels. We can also expect to see more use for gamma rays start to appear.

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