One of the techniques adopted for its disposal is stacking it in piles. An environmental threat exists should any leak occur in these piles, with the consequence of groundwater contamination. We have started a project to investigate the possible role that fertilizers have on the ecosystem. Initially a number of phosphate fertilizers are being analyzed for uranium and heavy elements. Radioactive isotopes of technetium, yttrium, indium, and samarium offer applications in radioscintography and radiotherapy.
Gadolinium has applications in magnetic resonance imaging and neutron capture therapy.
Folic acid was attached to these poly mers. They specifically bind to tumor cells that express the high affinity folate receptor. We are using these polymers to diagnose and treat tumors that express this receptor in vivo. Tumors of epithelial origin express this receptor.