How can alpha radioactivity be detected?
Once inside the body, alpha radioactivity can only be detected by monitoring urine or faeces. External body surfaces, and areas such as walls, floors, carpets or airplane seats can be checked with portable (alpha) sensitive radiation monitors. The air in a room can be drawn through a filter paper and the paper monitored. Specialist laboratory tests are need to confirm that any radioactivity found is polonium-210.
