Health Advice From The Health Protection Agency Following The Incident Involving Suspected Polonium-210 Intake

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine;  Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Article Date: 27 Nov 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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HPA (Health Protection Agency, UK) is currently identifying people who may have been in situations that could have resulted in an intake of Polonium-210. It is still the case that the vast majority of people are at very low risk of any adverse effects from the recent radiation incident. However the HPA is trying to identify anyone who might, for any reason, be at any higher risk.

Why are you only asking people in the bars on 1 November to come forward? Is there no risk to people in the bars on other days since?

What we are interested in is the time around when we think the initial contamination might have occurred. If there is any extra risk (and there may not be) it will be at that time.

What do you expect to find?

Probably nothing - but we are taking a very precautionary approach and if there is any risk we want to find out about it.

Are all branches of the sushi bars affected?

No. The only sushi bar affected is the Itsu branch at 167 Piccadilly.

Have the staff at the sushi bar been affected?

HPA staff have now seen and interviewed all staff from the sushi bar affected. All are well.

What about patients at UCH/Barnet Hospital? Are they being checked too? Do you want them to call you too?

Current levels of contamination in both hospitals, with the possible exception of the room in which Mr L died, are very low, and the contamination is fixed to the surface. This means there is no current or on-going risk to hospital staff, visitors or patients. Since the main route of secondary contamination from Mr L would have been through excretion, it is very unlikely that anyone would have received a significant dose during his time in the hospital.

If people have concerns then they should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or via the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

What about people who have left the country since 1 November?

If you are an overseas visitor and were in any of the above places on the dates listed you should email the Health Protection Agency for advice: overseasadvice@hpa.org.uk. If you do not have access to email you can contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 but only via a mobile telephone.

Health Protection Agency Radiation Protection Division (UK)

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