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Polonium-210: True or False?

Media coverage of the investigation in the United Kingdom into the Nov. 23 death of Alexander Litvinenko has included reports that the radioisotope polonium-210, allegedly used to poison him, is all around us and poses a potential health danger and even perhaps a security risk. As often happens, these reports contain kernels of truth that can lead to false conclusions.

TRUE: Polonium-210 is all around us.

Polonium-210 is used in industry, primarily in static elimination devices. Radiation emitted by the polonium ionizes the air around these devices to neutralize both positive and negative static charges. Removal of the charge improves product quality and can result in safer working environments.

However, while polonium-210 is around us, there is not much of it. There are no domestic producers. The total imported (all from Russia) is much less than 1 gram per year.

Polonium-210 also occurs in nature, in extremely small amounts. We contain small amounts in our bodies, and it is also found in tobacco.

FALSE: This polonium-210 presents a public health or safety hazard.

Polonium-210 emits alpha radiation, which cannot penetrate paper or skin. It poses no external hazard. Polonium must be ingested or inhaled, and absorbed into the bodily system, for it to be dangerous.

The polonium-210 used in static eliminators is not in its pure form. It is combined with silver or other metals in the form of a foil mounted inside a protective cage, using designs approved by the NRC or a state regulatory agency. These foils are difficult to detach from the device. Even if eaten, the polonium in this form is not easily absorbed, and it would pass harmlessly through the body. It would also be extremely difficult to separate the small amount of polonium-210 from the other metals in the foil.

TRUE: Polonium-210 can be deadly.

The Litvinenko case apparently demonstrates that polonium-210, if absorbed into the bodily system in sufficient quantity, can be fatal. But remember, polonium-210 is used in a form that cannot be readily inhaled, ingested and absorbed.

FALSE: Polonium-210 presents a security risk.

The NRC does not believe that polonium-210 presents a security risk. The amounts of the substance in use are very small. The substance is difficult to separate from its foil form. It decays rapidly, losing half its potency every 138 days. It would be very difficult for anyone to extract and accumulate enough polonium-210 to use as a weapon.

At this time, the NRC has seen nothing to suggest that increased controls or security measures are required for polonium-210. The NRC constantly re-evaluates security needs for radioactive materials; should new information become available that suggests enhanced controls are needed, the agency will take action.

For more detailed information, see our Fact Sheet on Polonium-210. For additional questions, call the NRC's Office of Public Affairs, at (301) 415-8200.