The periodic table is filled with elements that are essential for life and industry. However, some elements are incredibly dangerous due to their toxicity, radioactivity, or reactivity. Understanding these elements can help us handle them with care and appreciate the risks they pose.
What Is The Deadliest Element On The Periodic Table?
The title of the deadliest element is often debated, but many consider polonium to be one of the most lethal. This element is highly radioactive and extremely toxic, even in minuscule amounts. A microgram of polonium-210 can deliver a lethal dose if ingested or inhaled. Its radioactivity causes severe damage to internal organs and tissues. And while we often think of radioactive elements as dangerous on a grand scale, like nuclear meltdowns or atomic bombs, these elements can pose small-scale threats, too. For example, the infamous case of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy who was poisoned with polonium-210, highlights just how dangerous this element is!
What Is The Most Reactive Element On The Periodic Table?
Fluorine holds the title of the most reactive element. It reacts with almost every other element, sometimes explosively. Its reactivity makes it dangerous to handle and requires special precautions. Fluorine gas is so reactive that it can ignite many substances upon contact, including metals, glass, and water. This extreme reactivity is due to fluorine's high electronegativity and the strength of its bonds with other elements. Special containment and handling protocols are necessary to prevent accidents and ensure safe usage.
The Deadliest 13 Elements on the Periodic Table
Ready to explore the most powerful of what the periodic table has to offer? Each of these elements has the potential to be deadly without the proper precautions.
1. Polonium, Atomic Number 84
What Makes It Deadly: Polonium is highly radioactive and emits alpha particles, which can cause severe damage to biological tissues when ingested or inhaled. Even tiny amounts can be fatal.
Common Uses: Anti-static devices, nuclear industry (as a heat source), scientific research (as a radiation source)
2. Plutonium, Atomic Number 94
What Makes It Deadly: Plutonium is both toxic and highly radioactive. Exposure can cause radiation poisoning and increase the risk of cancer. Its radioactivity can linger for thousands of years.
Common Uses: Nuclear weapons, nuclear reactors (as fuel), space exploration (as a power source)
3. Mercury, Atomic Number 80
What Makes It Deadly: Mercury is toxic to humans, affecting the nervous system, digestive system, and kidneys. Chronic exposure can lead to serious health problems, including mercury poisoning.
Common Uses: Thermometers, dental amalgams, industrial processes (like chlorine production)
4. Arsenic, Atomic Number 33
What Makes It Deadly: Arsenic is a potent toxin that can cause organ failure and death when ingested. Chronic exposure is linked to cancer and other serious health conditions.
Common Uses: Pesticides, wood preservatives, semiconductor manufacturing
5. Radon, Atomic Number 86
What Makes It Deadly: Radon is a radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings, leading to lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Common Uses: Treatment of some cancers (in the past), scientific research, geology and environmental studies
5. Fluorine, Atomic Number 9
What Makes It Deadly: Fluorine is the most reactive element (in its gaseous form) and can cause severe chemical burns upon contact. It can react violently with organic matter, causing explosions.
Common Uses: Manufacturing of Teflon, pharmaceuticals, production of uranium hexafluoride for nuclear fuel
6. Chlorine, Atomic Number 17
What Makes It Deadly: Chlorine gas is highly toxic and can cause severe respiratory damage. It was used as a chemical weapon during World War I.
Common Uses: Disinfectants (water treatment), bleach production, PVC manufacturing
7. Lead, Atomic Number 82
What Makes It Deadly: Lead is highly toxic and can cause neurological damage, especially in children. Chronic exposure can lead to serious health issues, including brain damage and kidney failure.
Common Uses: Batteries, radiation shielding, paint (historically)
8. Uranium, Atomic Number 92
What Makes It Deadly: Uranium is both radioactive and toxic. It can cause kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer. Enriched uranium is used in nuclear weapons and reactors.
Common Uses: Nuclear reactors (as fuel), military applications (armor and weapons), geological research
8. Cadmium, Atomic Number 48
What Makes It Deadly: Cadmium exposure can lead to severe lung and kidney damage. It is a known carcinogen and can cause bone defects.
Common Uses:
Batteries (Ni-Cd batteries), pigments (in paints and plastics), electroplating
9. Thallium, Atomic Number 81
What Makes It Deadly: Thallium is extremely toxic and can cause hair loss, nerve damage, and death. It is a cumulative poison, meaning small amounts can add up to a lethal dose over time.
Common Uses: Electronics manufacturing, rodenticide (historically), optical lenses
10. Beryllium, Atomic Number 4
What Makes It Deadly: Beryllium is highly toxic and can cause chronic beryllium disease (CBD) when inhaled. CBD is a debilitating and often fatal lung disease.
Common Uses:
Aerospace components, nuclear reactors (as a moderator), X-ray windows
11. Antimony, Atomic Number 51
What Makes It Deadly: Antimony can cause respiratory and skin irritation, and chronic exposure can lead to lung disease and heart problems. It is toxic in large amounts.
Common Uses:
Flame retardants, alloys (with lead), electronics
12. Astatine, Atomic Number 85
What Makes It Deadly: Astatine is highly radioactive and can cause severe radiation poisoning. It is one of the rarest elements, making it less encountered but highly dangerous.
Common Uses: Medical research (cancer treatment), scientific research
13. Francium, Atomic Number 87
What Makes It Deadly: Francium is highly radioactive and extremely rare. Its radioactivity can cause severe damage to biological tissues.
Common Uses: Scientific research; this one has no significant commercial applications due to its rarity and radioactivity
Why You Should Know What The Deadliest Element On The Periodic Table Is
Understanding the danger levels of various elements– and how they can harm you– is important for any scientist or student. Some elements are only situationally dangerous; for example, while argon and other gasses can be dangerous, they’re only dangerous when they’re in extremely large quantities with low ventilation. In this scenario, the gas is harmful not because it causes any specific reaction, but because it sinks through the breathable oxygen and can suffocate a person.
However, some elements are dangerous in and of themselves. You can only safely handle radioactive isotopes of plutonium with radiation shielding and should have a dosimeter on hand to ensure that you remain safe from its nuclear instability.
Please note that while these elements can be very harmful, there are ways to ensure your safety around them. All of the acrylic element cubes we carry at Engineered Labs are harmless and can be kept safely in your home, classroom, or lab. They make amazing display pieces and educational examples that are real-life examples of how we can harness the power of the elements for our own.
