Originally Posted by
laxxy Generally radiation pretty much never causes instant death -- check how people who were dealing with the catastrophe at Chernobyl died for example -- those who died immediately or within a few days did so from burns and injuries, not from radiation, iirc.
Polonium is an alpha source, and human skin is pretty much sufficient protection (and thin rubber gloves would make one totally safe). Which is exactly what makes it convenient for the purpose.
the levels of radiation in the teapot were rather high, meaning a contact with the primary source (i.e. the polonium itself) iirc.