Editing Phosphorus (section)

===Isotopes===
{{Main|Isotopes of phosphorus}}
There are 22 known [[isotope]]s of phosphorus,{{NUBASE2016|ref}} ranging from {{chem2|^{26}P}} to {{chem2|^{47}P}}.{{r|Neufcourt2019}} Only {{chem2|^{31}P}} is stable and is therefore present at 100% abundance. The half-integer [[nuclear spin]] and high abundance of {{chem2|^{31}P}} make [[phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance]] spectroscopy a very useful analytical tool in studies of phosphorus-containing samples.

Two [[radioactive isotope]]s of phosphorus have half-lives suitable for biological scientific experiments, and are used as radioactive tracers in biochemical laboratories.{{r|Atwood2013}} These are:
* {{chem2|^{32}P|link=phosphorus-32}}, a [[beta particle|beta]]-emitter (1.71&nbsp;MeV) with a [[half-life]] of 14.3 days, which is used routinely in life-science laboratories, primarily to produce [[radiolabel]]ed DNA and RNA [[Hybridization probe|probes]], e.g. for use in [[Northern blot]]s or [[Southern blot]]s. 
* {{chem2|^{33}P}}, a beta-emitter (0.25&nbsp;MeV) with a half-life of 25.4 days. It is used in life-science laboratories in applications in which lower energy beta emissions are advantageous such as [[DNA]] sequencing.
The high-energy beta particles from {{chem2|^{32}P}} penetrate skin and [[cornea]]s and any {{chem2|^{32}P}} ingested, inhaled, or absorbed is readily incorporated into bone and [[nucleic acid]]s. For these reasons, personnel working with {{chem2|^{32}P}} is required to wear lab coats, disposable gloves, and safety glasses, and avoid working directly over open containers. [[Biomonitoring|Monitoring]] personal, clothing, and surface contamination is also required. The high energy of the beta particles gives rise to secondary emission of [[X-ray]]s via [[Bremsstrahlung]] (braking radiation) in dense shielding materials such as lead. Therefore, the radiation must be [[Radiation protection|shielded]] with low density materials such as water, acrylic or other plastic.{{r|OSEH}}