Quote 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.
I was talking about toxic, not radiative influence of polonium on human's health. The article that I read said it's highly toxic. And if the levels of radiation on the teapot were rather high, the levels on his body could be even higher, if he was so stupid to carry that filth (the sourse, I mean) with him.