“Polonium-210 is a very convenient substance for hidden poisoning”

Radiation sign

Polonium-210 is a radioactive element, poisoning with which is rarely recorded. There is little polonium in nature, so there is a low probability that the toxin will enter the body. In case of poisoning, symptoms of radiation sickness are observed. The safe dose is 7 picograms (one picogram is one trillionth of a gram): even a speck of polonium is lethal to humans.

Is it possible to be poisoned by polonium?

Polonium accumulates in the earth's crust in small quantities. The element is produced artificially in nuclear reactors. Used in industry: small quantities are required in manufacturing processes to reduce the effects of static electricity.

If the element enters the body, death is guaranteed. Polonium is integrated into metabolic processes and cannot be stopped. The liver, bone marrow and kidneys are affected.

Polonium is an odorless and tasteless substance. It is impossible to notice the presence of the element in a drink or food. Symptoms of poisoning at the first stage are mistaken for intoxication with other substances, for example, thallium.

Polonium is used for political contract killings to poison an enemy or a foreign intelligence spy: doctors do not suspect poisoning with a radioactive substance. The patient did not visit places where there is a high risk of exposure to radiation. In the early stages, people poisoned by polonium receive incorrect treatment, which subsequently increases the risk of death.

Important! Alpha particles emitted by polonium do not penetrate the skin. When ingested, organs and tissues are destroyed. Poisoning can occur if polonium is ingested or inhaled.

Litvinenko case

The poisoning occurred in 2006. He was a former FSB officer. There was a major investigation into this situation in London and Russia. It was known that:

1. The cause of his painful death was polonium.
2. Found in biomaterial.

Litvinenko allegedly poisoned himself during a meeting with his former friends. He drank tea that contained a radioactive element. Poisoning occurred within a few hours. He became ill, vomited, and was taken to a local hospital. Two weeks later, Litvinenko was already transferred to the intensive care unit. The officer's death was painful. The polonium content was discovered by chance by a radiation expert. The poisoners were Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi.

On November 23, polonium was discovered, but Litvinenko died. Traces of these elements were then found in places visited by the alleged killers. An investigation was conducted in the Russian Federation, which showed:

1. Kovtun and Lugovoy also acted as victims.
2. The culprit was the Italian companion with whom the stricken man met that day.

Litvinenko himself went to the hospital and said that he felt worse after this visit. Traces of polonium 210 were also found on the Italian companion and in all the places where he was subsequently located.

Case is closed. Those responsible for the officer's death were not found.

Litvinenko's poisoning occurred 12 years ago. Since then, it has been known that polonium is used for such purposes. The scandalous death became the impetus for an investigation, as it was taken out into society. To a greater extent, this was helped by the officer’s wife.

Symptoms of poisoning

Symptoms of polonium poisoning resemble radiation sickness in the acute or chronic stage. Acute radiation sickness develops if a large volume of polonium enters the body at once. The chronic form develops with constant, long-term exposure to small amounts of radioactive substances.

Severe forms

The acute form of radiation sickness is characterized by the rapid development of symptoms:

• nausea and vomiting;
• headache (mild to severe, accompanied by confusion or fainting);
• weakness, inability to move independently;
• increased body temperature;
• change in skin tone (from mild hyperemia to an “atomic” tan).

Blood tests

Symptoms appear immediately after exposure to a radioactive substance and disappear after two to three days. A period of imaginary well-being begins, or, as doctors say, the “walking corpse phase.” The fact that a person has been exposed to radiation is determined only by blood tests.

After 7–10 days, symptoms of the height of acute radiation sickness appear:

1. Increased bleeding. Even after minor exposure, bruises and bruises form on the skin.
2. Anemia. Red bone marrow is not able to produce red blood cells, as a result of which the tissues do not receive nutrition and oxygen. The person quickly weakens and constantly feels short of air. The skin becomes pale, with a bluish tint.
3. Radiation hepatitis. The liver ceases to cope with its functions, and persistent intoxication with metabolic products forms.
4. Intestinal syndrome. The intestinal epithelium is one of the rapidly dividing cells that are primarily affected by radiation. Some time after polonium poisoning, the old cells lining the gastrointestinal tract are completely sloughed off, and new ones are not formed. The intestine turns into an open wound, and the patient may die from internal bleeding.
5. Infectious complications. In acute radiation sickness, the immune system stops functioning. Even conditionally pathogenic flora causes severe sepsis.

Signs of chronic forms

Features of chronic radiation sickness:

• develops slowly - over several months and even years;
• affects all organs - the intensity of the problem is determined by the individual characteristics of the body and the dose of radiation received;
• the course is wavy - the symptoms either increase or disappear.

Signs of chronic radiation sickness:

• increased bleeding;
• anemia;
• dystrophy of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract - bronchopulmonary diseases develop;
• alopecia (baldness).

Important! Acute radiation sickness is incurable. Chronic can be treated, although there will be serious consequences (lack of fertility, increased risk of developing cancer).

Possible consequences

Associated with the long-term influence of a radioactive substance on the body. After recovery, the following is often noted:

1. Disturbance in the normal functioning of the heart. Myocarditis and endocarditis appear. Attacks of angina.
2. Changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Radiation colitis develops, manifested by constant diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.
3. Decreased immune activity. The frequency of colds and infectious diseases is increasing.
4. A sharp exacerbation of all chronic processes.

The long-term consequences of poisoning are associated with genetic mutations. This leads to increased cell division activity. Chromosome aberrations occur, which affects the health of subsequent generations. The victim has an increase in cancer pathology.

Emergency assistance for polonium poisoning

First aid if polonium enters the body:

1. Removal of radionuclides from the body. Induce vomiting by pressing on the root of the tongue with two fingers. To stimulate the gag reflex, give a glass of water with two drops of ammonia dissolved in it.
2. If a person loses consciousness, ensure the airway is open and ensure that the victim does not vomit. It is advisable to lay the person on his side, avoiding the tongue retracting and vomit getting into the respiratory tract.
3. When a victim has radiation psychosis, care is taken to ensure that the person does not harm himself. The patient must be seated or laid down, reassured, and active movement must not be allowed.

Important! First aid cannot be limited. After the acute stage of poisoning, a period of imaginary well-being begins. It seems that everything is fine with the person, however, after a while, symptoms of the height of radiation sickness will begin to appear. The life of the victim depends on how timely assistance is provided.

Blood for transfusion

Prevention

It comes down to the reasons for the development of poisoning. Considering that contact is possible only in industrial conditions, you should:

• follow the rules for working with polonium;
• protect yourself using PPE;
• undergo medical examinations on time;
• when the first signs appear, seek help;
• refuse to work overtime.

Workers should eat right, exercise, and eliminate stressful situations. Sanitize foci of chronic infection in a timely manner. Know all safety rules in case of emergency. This is the only way to protect yourself from poisoning.

Daria Shirochina

Practitioner. She graduated with honors from Vitebsk State Medical University in 2012 with a degree in general medicine. She was awarded a certificate of honor for her achievements in her work.

Treatment

Treatment of polonium poisoning is aimed at removing the radioactive substance from the body, restoring bone marrow function, and preventing the development of complications. Immunomodulators are indicated. Patients must be kept in separate rooms, and staff are allowed only in sterile clothing.

Due to intestinal damage after polonium poisoning, nutrition is administered parenterally (intravenously). Patients receive glucose, solutions of proteins and fats, and vitamin preparations.

A blood transfusion and bone marrow transplant are required. If a large amount of polonium enters the body, irreversible changes occur very quickly, and any procedures will not produce results.

Important! In case of pronounced signs of acute radiation sickness, treatment is only palliative, aimed at reducing the intensity of painful symptoms. Patients usually receive large doses of painkillers and sleeping pills.

First aid

It is carried out after signs of polonium poisoning appear. Necessary:

1. Immediately call an ambulance and inform them about intoxication. Indicate the first signs and clearly describe the victim’s condition.
2. Before their arrival, ensure complete rest and rinse the stomach.
3. Induce vomiting.

Other activities are carried out in stationary conditions. In case of poisoning, it is necessary to provide a large flow of oxygen and open the windows in the room. If possible, the affected person is taken to the hospital independently.

Consequences for the body and recovery period

Even if help is provided quickly and a person is cured of radiation sickness, long-term consequences of exposure to radiation are inevitable:

• decreased immunity;
• reduced life expectancy;
• development of radiation cataracts, which can cause complete loss of vision;
• irreversible changes in the reproductive system - from difficulties with conception and pregnancy to the inability to give birth to children and the development of genetic and chromosomal disorders in the fetus.

During rehabilitation, they regularly take blood tests so as not to miss the onset of acute leukemia, and take large doses of vitamins and immunomodulatory drugs. A gentle diet is indicated to avoid injury to the gastrointestinal tract.

Characteristics of a chemical element

Polonium is rarely found in nature. It is radioactive and has a low half-life. It has 27 isotopes, each of which is dangerous to humans. Main Feature:

• in the periodic table it is in the 6 A group and a similar period;
• externally looks like silvery metal in powder;
• electronic configuration 6S 6P;
• oxidation state from -2 to + 4.

Found naturally in uranium ore. Half-life 138 days. After this time, it turns into an isotope of lead.

The chemist who discovered it, Marie Curie, died of cancer. According to historical data, it is known that while working with this element, she broke a test tube in the laboratory. This indicates long-term consequences of the influence on the body. It caused a mutation in the cells, which led to their active growth and tumor development.

Number 84

Polonium is a silvery metal belonging to the main subgroup of group VI of the 6th period. Despite the fact that its outer shell contains 6 electrons, like oxygen or sulfur, it is precisely a metal. As you know, the metallic properties of elements increase from top to bottom and from left to right when looking at the periodic table.

It was discovered by the Curies in 1898. It owes its name to the homeland of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Poland, whose territory at that time was divided between three states.

It is not stable in the open air and oxidizes quickly. Gives three oxides. Forms compounds with halogens and reacts with hydrochloric acid. Melts at 254° C, boils at 962° C. Density - 9.196 g/cm3.

Isotopes of polonium

This is a radioactive element. It has no non-radioactive isotopes. In nature, it is not a stable element at all, and all its isotopes are included in the radioactive series of other substances. The half-lives of Po isotopes vary, as do other properties.

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There are also more stable isotopes of this element with masses 208 and 209. Polonium-208 has a half-life of 2.898 years, and polonium-209 has an even longer half-life of 103 years.

When polonium decays, it practically does not produce gamma radiation, which is associated with a number of difficulties in finding it. Geiger counters do not respond to it.

Industrial Application

Radioactive polonium has found its niche in the manufacture of autonomous power supplies, air ionization devices, and, naturally, in the military industry. An alloy of this element with lithium is used as a nuclear detonator.

The leader in production is Russia. This is an export and expensive product, produced in small quantities. Since this element is very rare in nature, it is obtained from bismuth by neutron irradiation and subsequent distillation. The main consumer of polonium is the USA.

It belongs to the group of strategic materials, therefore it is subject to accounting, control and protection.