Newcastle University

The poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006 with Polonium-210 drew worldwide public interest.  His death also stimulated medical interest in the diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation syndrome following exposure to polonium.  Radiation-induced illnesses and particularly polonium poisoning are very rare, which probably contributed to the delay in diagnosis in the case of Mr Litvinenko.  The speed of diagnosis and treatment can be crucial in effective patient care. 

Consequently, clinical toxicologists from the Medical Toxicology Centre, Robert Jefferson, Peter Blain and Simon Thomas, together with Ronald Goans from Tulane University, New Orleans , have published a review on polonium poisoning aimed at clinicians.  The article provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of individuals with acute radiation syndrome following polonium exposure, to aid clinical toxicologists and emergency physicians.  

Academic paper: Diagnosis and treatment of polonium poisoning. 
Published in: Clinical Toxicology

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15563650902956431