Iodine (chemical symbol I) is a nonmetallic solid element. There are both radioactive and non-radioactive isotopes of iodine. Iodine-129 and -131 are the most important radioactive isotopes in the environment. Some isotopes of iodine, such as I-123 and I-124 are used in medical imaging and treatment, but are generally not a problem in the environment because they have very short half-lives.
THE BASICS
Who discovered iodine and radioactive iodine?
In 1811, Bernard Courtois discovered natural iodine in water that was used to dissolve certain parts of seaweed ash for use. Radioactive iodine-131 was discovered by Glenn T. Seaborg and John Livingood at the University of California – Berkeley in the late 1930’s.
Where do iodine-129 and iodine-131 come from?
Both iodine-129 and iodine-131 are produced by the fission of uranium atoms during operation of nuclear reactors and by plutonium (or uranium) in the detonation of nuclear weapons.