Carcinogen Alphabet: “Y” for Yttrium 90
Yttrium 90 is a pure β-particle emitters, a type of ionising radiation and is used in radiotherapy.
All ionising radiations can disrupt molecules and produce many types of DNA damage, ranging from isolated base damage or single-strand breaks to simple double-strand breaks and more complex DNA alterations.
There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of pure β-particle emitters, including Yttrium 90.
However, Yttrium-90, is a medically significant isotope of yttrium which has a wide and valuable use in radiation therapy to treat cancer.
In support of the “No Time to Lose” Campaign the SEL Group will be running an “Alphabet of Carcinogens” campaign and each week we shall release details regarding a different well known carcinogen.