Handling Problems and Preparative Techniques

Reactions used for the preparation of polonium compounds are straightforward, but the experimental techniques are strictly determined by the small amount of the commonly used polonium-210 which is available and by the exceptionally high specific activity of the isotope (4.5 curics/mg, i.e., 1013 disintegrations/min/mg). Apart from the major effects of the alpha bombardment to be described, the separation of polonium-210 from its lead daughter, which grows in at a rate of 0.5%/day, constitutes a major chemical problem. It calls for rapid and efficient methods of purifying the polonium stock before each experiment the best of these is the sulfide process described in Section III. 

The conventional glove-box used on polonium work at Harwell is con- 

Suite of three rotating-table glove-boxes. 

A major problem in glove-box work is the corrosion within the box of metal parts and equipment, due to unavoidable concentrations of acid fumes which occur even when the box is swept by a high air-flow. This can 

The alpha radiation chemical effects at the curie level are severe, leading to the self-decomposition of most polonium compounds thus solid polonium salts of organic acids char rapidly and polonium iodate evolves free iodine. 

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