Update On Public Health Issues Related To Polonium-210 Investigation

Main Category: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Article Date: 18 Dec 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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The Health Protection Agency is continuing to provide expert advice on the public health issues surrounding the death of Mr. Alexander Litvinenko. Throughout, our primary concern has been to protect the public.

We have monitored many locations identified by the police as part of their investigations to assess whether there is any public health risk. Our investigations have confirmed there is no public health concern in the key public areas. On the basis of the monitoring results received so far from we believe that the risk to the general public of having been exposed to Polonium-210 (Po-210) is likely to be very low.

As a precautionary measure we have also followed up a small number of staff and guests at some of affected areas of the locations. Some were asked to provide urine samples for testing and 349 urine samples tested by the Agency have found nothing of concern.

Test results update

-- As of midnight, Sunday December 18, NHS Direct had received a total of 3,799 calls since HPA advice was issued on Sat Nov 25

-- By 8am Monday December 18, the HPA had followed up 648 people who, following assessment, needed further investigation

-- The total number of people so far referred as a precaution to a specialist outpatient assessment clinic for possible radiological exposure assessment is 29 . Urine samples tested so far from 21 have found nothing of concern

The police investigation continues. We will provide further public information as appropriate.

1. We advised that any member of the public in The Pine Bar on Oct 31 and Nov 2 (in addition to Nov 1) contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 who will pass on their details to the HPA for further assessment.

Our advice has also been that anyone who was in The Pine Bar on Nov 1, who has not yet contacted NHS Direct, is invited to do so.

2. The Agency is writing to offer further advice to those people who were in The Pine Bar on Nov 1 and who have already contacted NHS Direct. A special helpline, staffed by experienced HPA staff, has been set up. If requested by people in this group, a urine sample will be tested. Arrangements will be made for information to be provided to international guests.

3. Overseas visitors who were in the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel on Oct 31, Nov 1 and Nov 2 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 00 (44) 845 4647 but only via a mobile telephone if you are calling from abroad. (If this does not connect you please try 0845 46 47 instead - again only from a mobile).

4. Further information is available on http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk and http://www.hpa.org.uk

5. For the latest information on locations go to the London Resilience Team website at http://www.londonprepared.gov.uk

Health Protection Agency (UK)

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