Semiconductor of the week- POLONIUM

Polonium (Po) Atomic number 84

-Polonium is a radioactive, extremely rare semi-metal.

-It is reactive, silvery-gray, it dissolves in dilute acids, but it is only slightly soluble in alkalis.

-Polonium was once used in textile mills (to eliminate static charges) and by the manufacturers of photographic plates (in brushes to remove the accumulated dust).

-It is used as a source of alfa-radiation for research and, alloyed with beryllium it can act as a portable source of neutrons, which normally only access to a nuclear reactor can provide.

-Polonium has been found in tobacco smoke from tobacco leaves grown with phosphate fertilizers

-Polonium is the only component of cigarette smoke that has produced cancer by itself in laboratory animals by inhalation - tumors appeared already at a polonium level five times lower than those of a normal heavy smoker.

-Because of its very high toxicity, polonium can be used as a poison such was the case with the poisoning of Alexander Litvineko (former KGB officer)