• en
  • sl

What are heavy isotopes?

In isotope science, a “heavy isotope” is the stable isotope or stable isotopes of an element, which are heavier than the most abundant isotope. For instance, 18O is considered as heavy oxygen, compared to the most abundant 16O. Heavy isotopes are thus not dangerous – unless, of course, in toxic elements; light cadmium is as toxic as heavy cadmium.