The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean Chapter 9 Summary/Reflection

1.Cadmium is strange as it replaces elements in the body necessary for regular bodily functions.  However, Cadmium has almost now good properties but apparently it's good in that it was able to kill Godzilla.
2.Thallium sneaks into the body, like a ninja (the element of surprise, pun intended) where like cadmium, it extracts necessary elements and replaces them.
3.  When considering radioactivity, the neutrons emitted often mess with or destroy DNA, proteins, etc.  But like neutrons, Thallium, can undo protein bonds rendering them useless in any form in the body.
    4. Bismuth is both poisonous and radioactive, and serves as a sort of transition between the poisonous and radioactive groups on the periodic table.  But it isn't as bad as others and can be used in medicine or as a ornament for your table.
5.Thorium, mine lamps and Americium, smoke detectors

Summary
    In this chapter, Kean first discusses that the biological compounds are much more delicate than those used in chemistry; this has led to a section of the periodic table to be called the “Poisoner’s Corridor”.  First, in this corridor is Cadmium,  Cadmium replaces elements needed in the body and expels them out.  Cadmium’s effects were first recognised in Japan where it killed miners and farmers and those who survived had many diseases. Thallium acts the same as Cadmium but is able to mimic a wider range of elements and cause more damage. Bismuth, which is almost like a transition between the poisonous metals and the radioactive ones.
    Then we come to the radioactive poisons.  Examples from the radioactive poisons can best be seen in David Hahn, who tried to build a nuclear reactor in his shed.  Entranced by chemistry and seeking to aid the world in terms of power, he attempted to create a fission reactor in his shed.  For this, he attempted to create a breeder reactor (a reactor that's able to sustain itself by continuously creating fuel).  What he needed was Uranium and Thorium, but both ended up giving him health problems in the future (which would probably be cancer).  Americium, an element found in smoke detectors is a good source of alpha particles (helium nuclei which also causes health problems).

Reflection
    Overall I enjoyed this chapter due to its humorous references of deadly chemicals. I also liked the reference to the Godzilla movie and the irony. Its funny how they created a monster that lives off nuclear energy but couldn't handle cadmium.