Strontium

Name: Strontium (Sr), element 38

Properties: There are many physical properties that are unique in strontium but
the main property that stands out is that it is a soft silver-yellow metal. Strontium
has physical properties very much like calcium and barium. Many such as boiling
point in strontium is 1655C and also melting point 1050C. Many chemical
properties stand out as well, such as its extreme reactivity to air and thats the
reason that this element is naturally combining with other elements 1. Strontium
reacts very spontaneously with water also as it releases hydrogen gas and turning
water into strontium hydroxide.
Uses: There can be many uses of strontium as it is one of the non-radioactive
elements, and it can be naturally found. It is said that about 99% of strontium in our
body is concentrated in the bones2. Strontium is a very reactive metal so it is used
normally after being reacted, radioactive strontium-89 is given intravenously of
prostate cancer and bone cancer3. Strontium chloride is used mainly in dietary
supplements, they use it for building bones. Strontium is mainly used for producing
glass for television sets, but it is also used in making ferrite magnets and refining
zinc4. Stronitum-90 (one of the isotopes) is used in nuclear explosions because it is
absorbed by bone tissue which can destroy bone marrow, it is also one of the best
high-energy beta-emitters5.
Saftey: Strontium in general is safe because it is already present in our body and a
typical diet includes 0.5 to 1.5 mg/day. Toothpastes such as sensodyne contains
strontium, it has received a safety approval from the U.S food and drug
Administration (FDA)6. Many isotopes of strontium are unsafe such as strontium- 89
because it is a radioactive material.

1 "Strontium, - Sr." Strontium (Sr). N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sr.htm
2 ": Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1077-strontium.aspx?
activeingredientid=1077&activeingredientname=strontium

3 ": Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1077-strontium.aspx?
activeingredientid=1077&activeingredientname=strontium

4 "Strontium - Sr." Strontium (Sr). N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/38/strontium
5 "Strontium - Sr." Strontium (Sr). N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/38/strontium
6 ": Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1077-strontium.aspx?
activeingredientid=1077&activeingredientname=strontium

Enviromental Effects: First of all, strontium occurs naturally in the environment,

mainly in air in the form of dust. All of that strontium ends up in either the soil or
bottom of surface waters where they mix with strontium that is already there, and
some deep sea creatures use strontium in the form of strontium sulphate into their
shell7. Strontium-90 is radioactive and due to human activities it is largely harming
the environment, we use it as nuclear bomb testing.
Alternatives: There are not many alternatives for strontium because of its
reactivity level with water and air, it is most of the time found as a compound.
When used in fireworks an alternative is magnesium because it is incandescent very
much like strontium8. When we are talking about green alternatives, aluminium is
a better option because it is not bad for environment as much as magnesium and
strontium.
Cost/Benefits: When compared to many other chemicals Strontium is very
expensive, as you get 100 grams for $1009. There are many benefits of having
strontium (while in a compound) such as many health benefits, it is said it can cure
bone cancer when at a certain stage. When it is used in fireworks, it is usually the
main attraction because it is very reactive to air, and is incandescent. All in all, cost
wise and benefit wise it is very good because you will be satisfied with what you get
for that price.

7 "Strontium, - Sr." Strontium (Sr). N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sr.htm
8 "How Firework Colors Work." About. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/fireworkspyrotechnics/a/fireworkcolors.htm

9 "Strontium Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.

http://www.chemicool.com/elements/strontium.html