Germanium is not radioactive in any practical or commercial sense. The germanium used in industrial, optical, and electronic applications is stable and non-radioactive, making it safe for handling, manufacturing, and end use.
Naturally occurring germanium consists of several isotopes, most of which are stable, including:
- Germanium-70
- Germanium-72
- Germanium-73
- Germanium-74
These isotopes do not emit harmful radiation and pose no health or safety risks in commercial or industrial environments.
What About Germanium-76?
Germanium does have one naturally occurring radioactive isotope, germanium-76, but it has an extremely long half-life of approximately 1.78 × 10²¹ years. This decay rate is so slow that germanium-76 is considered effectively stable, and its radioactivity is negligible for all practical purposes. It does not present any radiation hazard in optical components, electronics, or laboratory use.
Synthetic Radioactive Germanium Isotopes
Certain radioactive germanium isotopes can be artificially produced in particle accelerators or nuclear research facilities. These isotopes are used exclusively for scientific and medical research and are not present in commercially available germanium materials used for optics, semiconductors, or industrial components.
Summary
- Commercial germanium is non-radioactive and safe
- Naturally occurring radioactive isotopes pose no practical risk
- No radiation concerns for optical, electronic, or industrial applications
- Radioactive germanium isotopes are laboratory-only materials