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Eight tested over radiation alert | Eight tested over radiation alert |
(19 minutes later) | |
A total of eight people have now been referred for tests after the radiation poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, the Health Protection Agency has said. | A total of eight people have now been referred for tests after the radiation poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, the Health Protection Agency has said. |
It said 1,121 people had called NHS Direct over the alert by midnight on Monday and 68 cases were followed up. | It said 1,121 people had called NHS Direct over the alert by midnight on Monday and 68 cases were followed up. |
The academic who met the Russian former spy on the day he was taken ill has also returned to the UK to be tested. | The academic who met the Russian former spy on the day he was taken ill has also returned to the UK to be tested. |
Police will interview Italian Mario Scaramella as a potential witness as part of the inquiry into the death. | Police will interview Italian Mario Scaramella as a potential witness as part of the inquiry into the death. |
The HPA said the eight people had been referred to the clinic as a precautionary measure because they had symptoms which may indicate exposure to radiation. | The HPA said the eight people had been referred to the clinic as a precautionary measure because they had symptoms which may indicate exposure to radiation. |
Tests would be aiming to rule this out, it said. | Tests would be aiming to rule this out, it said. |
Detectives are continuing to examine five locations in London where traces of polonium-210, also discovered in the body of former KGB colonel Mr Litvinenko, were found. | Detectives are continuing to examine five locations in London where traces of polonium-210, also discovered in the body of former KGB colonel Mr Litvinenko, were found. |
On Tuesday evening Scotland Yard confirmed it was checking a further two addresses - the Sheraton Park Lane hotel and 58 Grosvenor St. | |
Camden Council said post-mortem and special examinations of Mr Litvinenko's body would take place on Friday. | Camden Council said post-mortem and special examinations of Mr Litvinenko's body would take place on Friday. |
Mr Litvinenko was a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin | Mr Litvinenko was a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin |
The tests have been delayed over concerns about the health implications for those present. | The tests have been delayed over concerns about the health implications for those present. |
Polonium-210 cannot pass through skin, and must be ingested or inhaled to cause damage. | Polonium-210 cannot pass through skin, and must be ingested or inhaled to cause damage. |
There is a theoretical risk that anyone who came into contact with the urine, faeces, and possibly even sweat, of Mr Litvinenko could ingest a small amount of polonium-210. | There is a theoretical risk that anyone who came into contact with the urine, faeces, and possibly even sweat, of Mr Litvinenko could ingest a small amount of polonium-210. |
But this kind of radiation has a very short range and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or by the dead layer of outer skin. | But this kind of radiation has a very short range and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or by the dead layer of outer skin. |
The HPA said the risk of the public being exposed remained low and most traces could be eliminated through handwashing, or washing machine and dishwasher cycles. | The HPA said the risk of the public being exposed remained low and most traces could be eliminated through handwashing, or washing machine and dishwasher cycles. |
EXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates traces | EXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates traces |
Scotland Yard has been piecing together Mr Litvinenko's movements on 1 November, the day he fell ill. | Scotland Yard has been piecing together Mr Litvinenko's movements on 1 November, the day he fell ill. |
The first places where polonium-210 radiation was discovered were the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square and Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London. | The first places where polonium-210 radiation was discovered were the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square and Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London. |
On the day he was taken ill, he had had meetings at the restaurant with Mr Scaramella and at the hotel's Pine Bar. | On the day he was taken ill, he had had meetings at the restaurant with Mr Scaramella and at the hotel's Pine Bar. |
Billionaire Russian exile Boris Berezovsky confirmed that his office was another place where traces of radiation had been found during the investigation. | Billionaire Russian exile Boris Berezovsky confirmed that his office was another place where traces of radiation had been found during the investigation. |
Mr Berezovsky, a Russian exile, said he was "deeply saddened" by his friend's death. | Mr Berezovsky, a Russian exile, said he was "deeply saddened" by his friend's death. |
"I credit him with saving my life and he remained a close friend and ally ever since," he said. | "I credit him with saving my life and he remained a close friend and ally ever since," he said. |
"I will remember him for his bravery, his determination and his honour." | "I will remember him for his bravery, his determination and his honour." |
He added he had "complete faith" in the British authorities and the police who were conducting "a thorough and professional investigation". | He added he had "complete faith" in the British authorities and the police who were conducting "a thorough and professional investigation". |
The fifth location, on the fourth floor of 25 Grosvenor Street, is the headquarters of security and risk management company Erinys. | The fifth location, on the fourth floor of 25 Grosvenor Street, is the headquarters of security and risk management company Erinys. |
Erinys said the company "immediately contacted" the police to tell them of a visit made by Mr Litvinenko to its offices. | Erinys said the company "immediately contacted" the police to tell them of a visit made by Mr Litvinenko to its offices. |
Mr Litvinenko, 43, who died last Thursday, had been investigating the murder of prominent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. | Mr Litvinenko, 43, who died last Thursday, had been investigating the murder of prominent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. |
Both were critics of the Putin government. | Both were critics of the Putin government. |
Friends have suggested Russian top-level involvement in Mr Litvinenko's death because of his criticisms. | Friends have suggested Russian top-level involvement in Mr Litvinenko's death because of his criticisms. |
But the Kremlin has repeatedly such allegations as "sheer nonsense". | But the Kremlin has repeatedly such allegations as "sheer nonsense". |