Elements · ← Bi Bismuth · At Astatine →
Polonium-210 is a highly radiotoxic alpha emitter.
| Symbol | Po |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 84 |
| Atomic mass | 208.98243(no standard atomic weight: the element has no stable isotopes or characteristic natural composition; PubChem lists this isotope mass) |
| Group | 16 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | p-block |
| Category | Metalloid |
| Standard state | Solid |
| Discovered | 1898 |
Source: PubChem, Polonium (periodic table data, retrieved 2026-10-19). Group and period follow the standard 18-column periodic table.
After the 2006 death of Alexander Litvinenko, Harrison, Leggett and Lloyd evaluated human and animal data and dose models for ingested polonium-210 and concluded bone marrow failure is likely an important part of fatal damage.
As reported in: Harrison, Leggett, Lloyd et al. (2007). Polonium-210 as a poison. Journal of Radiological Protection. doi:10.1088/0952-4746/27/1/001
Abstract only
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