Polonium - Po

Polonium — chemical properties and water context

Polonium is an extremely rare, radioactive element. The bracketed mass number shown is for a representative isotope; polonium has no stable isotopes, and its properties must be considered in a radiological context.

Atomic number	84
Representative isotope mass number	[209] g/mol
Density	9.20 g/cm3
Melting point	254 °C
Boiling point	962 °C
Electron configuration	[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4

Chemical properties

Polonium is in Group 16 and Period 6. Polonium-210 is a radioactive decay product in the uranium-238 series and emits alpha particles. RSC lists estimated physical properties for the element, but field monitoring concerns isotope activity and chemical form rather than a stable bulk-metal sample.

Uses and applications

Polonium has only specialized research and regulated industrial uses, including certain static-control sources. It is produced in very small quantities and is not a normal commercial water-treatment chemical.

Polonium in water treatment

Polonium-210 may occur at very low levels in some groundwater because of natural radioactive decay in surrounding geology. If monitoring detects polonium, assess radionuclide activity with a qualified laboratory and follow radiological guidance. Treatment options for radionuclides depend on the isotope and water matrix; reverse osmosis and ion exchange are used for some radionuclides, but suitability and management of radioactive residuals must be evaluated specifically.

Environmental and health context

Polonium-210 is hazardous if inhaled or ingested because it emits alpha radiation. The exposure route and isotope activity matter; ordinary chemical concentration measurements alone may not characterize radiological risk. Follow applicable radiation-safety, sampling and waste requirements.

Back to the periodic table of elements