Russian research actually found polonium to be a net benefit!
Namely, the short half-life and the fact that it undergoes alpha decay into lead meant that a) it was very easy to detect leaks b) cleanup was also easier. Also, the rate of polonium production turned out to be pretty low.
The bigger issue is that Bismuth production would be utterly, completely drained by mass production of SVBR-style reactors.
Namely, the short half-life and the fact that it undergoes alpha decay into lead meant that a) it was very easy to detect leaks b) cleanup was also easier. Also, the rate of polonium production turned out to be pretty low.
The bigger issue is that Bismuth production would be utterly, completely drained by mass production of SVBR-style reactors.