A hypothesis on binding of polonium to the amino acid cysteine with significance in oil and gas country and beyond

Abstract

A timely hypothesis regarding the preferential binding of polonium-210 (Po-210) to the sulfhydryl (-SH) group of the amino acid cysteine is presented. This offers a mechanistic explanation for the bioaccumulation of Po-210 in the blood, liver, testes and hair, and insight into health risks, including cancer, infertility, and adverse birth outcomes, providing researchers with potential tools to track radioactivity exposures and assess certain incidences of cancer with suspected radiogenic environmental causes. The hypothesis has particular significance in regions of oil and gas production and infrastructure, and lays a foundation for future research, data collection and policy discussion.