Polonium+210+Kills+Spy

=**Polonium 210 Kills Spy**=

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 * Alexander Litvinenko before being exposed to Polonium-210**


 * Alexander Litvinenko After being Exposed to Polonium-210**



Half Life = 138.376 Days Alpha Emitter

Former KGB Spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned on November 1st, 2006 while eating sushi at Itsu, a Sushi parlor in London. Litvinenko was convinced that the Kremlin was responsible for his poisoning, however, Russian officials quickly denied any involvement. Litvinenko was known for his criticism of Vladamir Putin, the leader of Russia.

Because of Polonium-210's danger, several people and areas were tested for radiation. However, although radioactive traces were found at Litvinenko's appartment, no dangerous levels of radiation were recorded.

During the autopsy, Litvinenko's body was found to have 5 times the lethal amount of radiation that would be lethal to a human.

One theory concerning the choice of polonium-210 is that it leads to a slow, and painful death. A message from the Kremlin (if that is indeed who poisoned him). Another use for the element is that when combined with beryllium, it releases neutrons. This property has lead it to be used for triggers on nuclear weapons. This also allows it to be used to heat radioisotope thermoelectric generators.


 * Sources**:

= = "Polonium." __Wikipedia__. 2008. 24 Jan 2008 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polonium>.] "Alexander Litinvenko Poisoning." 2008. 24 Jan 2008 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Litvinenko_poisoning>.]