What is the most toxic element?

The most toxic element is considered to be Polonium. It is a highly radioactive metal that emits alpha particles, which are harmful to living cells. Despite occurring in trace amounts in nature, it can be produced by bombarding bismuth with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

Polonium is particularly lethal if it enters the body through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin. Once inside the body, it can accumulate in the liver, kidney, and bone marrow, where it causes extensive tissue damage and can lead to various cancers, including liver, lung, and bone cancer.

Polonium is best known for its use in the assassination of Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. He was poisoned with a highly concentrated dose of polonium-210, which led to his death within weeks.

Due to its high toxicity, polonium is strictly regulated and only used for scientific research, particularly in the field of nuclear physics. However, its potential for use as a deadly poison in terrorist attacks and assassinations cannot be ignored.