Radiological lessons : radiation weapons beyond dirty bombs /
Peter Zimmerman and James Acton
- 2007
Alexander Litvinenko, a retired Russian Lt Colonel, died in November 2006 from acute radiation poisoning by Polonium-210. Po-210 emits alpha radiation which is only poisonous when inhaled or ingested. This article explains the three different kinds of radiation and the meaning of terms such as half-life, rem, and becquerel, then reviews the dangers of terrorists gaining access to such material.