Appearance and Characteristics
Harmful effects:
Polonium is harmful both through its chemical toxicity and its radioactivity. Polonium-210 is an alpha emitter. As such it is very hazardous if swallowed or inhaled. Exposure to polonium increases the risk of getting various cancers.
Characteristics:
Polonium is a rare, silvery-gray, radioactive low-melting metalloid. Polonium readily reacts with dilute acids, but only slightly with alkalis. All of its isotopes are radioactive.
Po emits a blue glow, as the air around it is excited by the decay products. 1 gram of Po emits as many alpha particles as 5 kilograms of radium. The energy released by polonium’s alpha decay is considerable and heats the volume around it. The energy released is so large (140 W/g) that a capsule containing about half a gram reaches a temperature above 500 oC.
Uses of Polonium
Polonium is used to eliminate static electricity produced during processes such as rolling paper, wire and sheet metal. However, beta decay sources are more commonly used as they are less dangerous. 210Po can be used as an atomic heat source but because of the isotope’s short half-life (138.4 days), it doesn’t provide power for long-term uses. Polonium is also used in anti-static brushes to eliminate dust on photographic film. It is sealed in brushes to control the radioactive emissions.