General uses
Thorium has limited use in non-radiological applications such as alloying with magnesium for greater strength or in high quality glass. Thorium is currently being developed for use in nuclear reactors due to its higher abundance than uranium.
Advantages
For radiological uses thorium has the advantage of being far more abundant than uranium. Furthermore, Thorium has advantages in minimizing proliferation as thorium and its by-products are difficult to weaponize. Finally waste from a thorium cycle reactor have shorter half-lives compared to uranium.
Risks
Due to its high abundance, exposure to small quantities of thorium is common. Exposure to higher levels of thorium may occur near thorium mines or mills. Thorium enters the body through inhalation of dust or ingestion of contaminated food or water. Thorium can then concentrate in the lungs or bones leading to cancers. Furthermore, thorium decays into radium which is a dangerous gamma emitter and radon which is a radioactive gas.