Diagnosis and Treatment of Polonium Poisoning
June 2009
in “
Clinical Toxicology
”
TLDR Polonium poisoning is diagnosed by detecting it in urine and feces, and treated with supportive care, infection prevention, and chelation therapy.
The document reviewed the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) caused by ingestion of 210Polonium (210Po), a high-energy α-emitter. Ingested 210Po was initially concentrated in red blood cells and various organs, with an elimination half-life of 30–50 days. A fatal dose was estimated at 10–30 μg. ARS presented with early symptoms like nausea and vomiting, followed by hair loss and bone marrow failure. Diagnosis relied on detecting 210Po in urine and feces, and supportive care was crucial. Chelation therapy, using agents like dimercaprol, was recommended to reduce retention and improve survival.
