25.01.2015 Views

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>Chemical</strong> <strong>Agents</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opportunity</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Terrorism</strong><br />

Training Support Package<br />

Participant Guide<br />

Slide 52<br />

Polonium-210 is an alpha-emitter, but its particle is <strong>of</strong> particularly high-energy. Polonium-<br />

210 gives <strong>of</strong>f 5,000 times more alpha particles than does the same amount <strong>of</strong> radium,<br />

another alpha-emitting radioisotope.<br />

Polonium’s high energy alpha particles can severely damage genetic material (DNA) if<br />

able to reach it. Since alpha particles only penetrate short distances, polonium is only<br />

harmful to humans through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with open wounds.<br />

December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 415

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!