Saed News: Enriched uranium may seem like a topic far removed from everyday life, but its important and direct applications in daily living cannot be denied.
According to the Science and Technology Service of Saed News Analytical News Website, science and technology have penetrated our lives so deeply that their effects can be seen in the smallest everyday details. One of the complex and vital technologies that we may have heard less about regarding its tangible applications is enriched uranium. This substance is not only important in industrial and defense fields but is also linked in various ways to our health, energy, and even food security.
Uranium enrichment means increasing the percentage of uranium-235 compared to its natural amount, which is about 0.7%, to make it usable in power plants and various applications.
Low-enriched uranium (LEU) (3-5% uranium-235) is used for electricity production and is the main fuel for nuclear power plants. Nuclear electricity produced from this fuel provides clean and sustainable energy for homes, factories, and hospitals.
Medium-enriched uranium (10-20% uranium-235) is used in research reactors and the production of medical radioisotopes, aiding in the manufacture of medical drugs and radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer.
Enriched uranium plays a key role in producing radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine. These radioisotopes act as radioactive tracers in imaging organs such as the heart, brain, and bones, allowing doctors to diagnose diseases like cancerous tumors, heart problems, and bone disorders more accurately.
Additionally, in radiotherapy, controlled radiation emitted from radioisotopes directly targets and destroys cancer cells without causing significant damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This technology has increased the precision and success of medical treatments.
Nuclear energy produced from enriched uranium is one of the important sources of electricity worldwide. Unlike fossil fuels, this type of energy produces fewer greenhouse gases and less pollution during electricity generation, helping reduce the harmful effects of climate change.
Nuclear power plants use enriched uranium to create controlled chain reactions that produce heat. This heat generates steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity. This method provides stable electricity that can continuously meet daily household, industrial, and urban needs.
One of the lesser-known applications of enriched uranium and related technologies is supporting food security. In this field, controlled radiation (using radioactive isotopes) helps preserve food by eliminating bacteria, fungi, and pests that cause food spoilage, thus extending the shelf life of food products.
In agriculture, radiation is used to reduce or eliminate pests and plant diseases, which decreases the need for chemical pesticides and enhances environmental health. These methods improve both the quality and quantity of agricultural products.
In Iran, the Bushehr nuclear power plant is the only active nuclear power plant, with a capacity of about 1000 megawatts. It has so far produced over 70 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and supplied it to the national grid.
Regarding healthcare applications, a member of the board of the Iranian Nuclear Medicine Association stated in January 2025 that about 5 million nuclear medicine services are provided annually in Iran. Besides Iranian patients, many foreign patients also benefit from these services.
On National Nuclear Technology Day, six new products and radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment were unveiled. Currently, there are about 250 nuclear medicine centers in provincial capitals across the country.
The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, said in June last year that 230 medical centers in the country use domestically produced radiopharmaceuticals, and this trend is expanding.
Furthermore, valuable achievements have been made in radiation processing of rice, fruits, seeds, and bakery products. The first agricultural product radiation processing system was inaugurated last March in Ahvaz.
Enriched uranium, beyond common perceptions, plays an important role in our daily scientific and technological advancements. A more precise understanding and intelligent use of this technology can open new doors toward sustainable development and social welfare—a path that will significantly contribute to improving our quality of life and national security.
