Polonium: World's deadliest poison

By Saimah Hanif

Correspondent, SAM Daily Times

Polonium is the most poisonous substance on earth and has been widely used in secret service assassinations.

Studies show that once Polonium-210 enters the bloodstream, its lethal effects are nearly impossible to stop. Victims experience multiple organ failures as alpha radiation particles bombard the liver, kidneys and bone marrow from within. A piece which is no bigger than a grain of salt can kill a 70-kilogram person. Polonium came to wide public attention in 2006 with the death of Alexander Litvinenko in London. A one-time KGB agent turned critic of the Russian government, Litvinenko ingested tea laced with the substance.