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Polonium

Polonium is a reactive silvery-grey metal, and like its halogen neighbour, astatine, polonium does not have any stable isotopes. However, it has more isotopes than any other element.

Polonium is normally produced from the bombardment of neutrons at bismuth-209. Very small amounts of this element have also been found as a contaminant in tobacco and in uranium ores.

Applications of polonium are limited due to its high radioactivity. Polonium serves mainly as a neutron source, but it also provides thermoelectric energy to space satellites and other space equipment. Occasionally, polonium is applied on brushes to remove the dust present on photographic films, and it is a popular anti-static agent in textile mills.

Polonium is highly toxic, but rarely encountered. Compared to hydrocyanic acid (HCN), it is approximately 2.5×10¹¹ times more toxic. Due to alpha particle radiation, ingested polonium could cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, and spleen.