Why Is Strontium Important?

While strontium can be dangerous to human health as a radioactive product of nuclear reactions, it is also useful for the creation of important compounds and energy.

Identification

• Freshly cut strontium is silver, but it turns yellow on contact with oxygen in the air. It burns a crimson color--sometimes spontaneously in the air--so it must be kept in an airtight container or mixed with other compounds to keep it stable.

Geography

• Strontium is a soft metal found in nature as celestite and strontianite. It is mined in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Turkey and Spain, found in igneous rocks and sedimentary deposits. Strontium is also found in the human body and in foods, like corn, onions and lettuce.

Abundance

• About 140,000 tons of strontium ore are mined worldwide each year.

Function

• Strontium is mainly used in producing glass screens for television sets and to create brilliant red fireworks and warning flares. It is also used to refine zinc and create ferrite magnets. Strontium-90 is a nuclear reactor by-product that emits high-energy radiation. It is used to generate an electric current for outer space missions, remote weather stations and navigation buoys.

  In 2004, the results of a newly released study found that non-radioactive strontium is effective as a preventative measure and treatment for osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.

Warning

• While high levels of strontium are not as great a problem for adults, strontium levels in the thousands can pose a threat to youth bone growth and development. Strontium pollution in drinking water is kept under a dangerous level.

  Strontium chromate is the only strontium compound that can pose severe health risks, such as lung cancer.