Two British Airways planes are to undergo further detailed examination after traces of a radioactive substance were discovered on board.
Two British Airways planes are to undergo further detailed examination after traces of a radioactive substance were discovered on board.
The traces were found by scientists involved in the investigation into ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko's death, whose inquest opens today.
The traces were found by scientists involved in investigating the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko. An inquest into the death opens today.
BA said a third plane is grounded in Moscow, awaiting tests.
BA said a third plane is grounded in Moscow awaiting tests.
The airline is trying to make contact with the 33,000 passengers who travelled on the flights affected.
The airline is trying to make contact with 33,000 passengers who travelled on affected flights.
Advice
People are being advised to check the flight details published on the BA website and to contact NHS Direct or a special helpline number if they travelled on the named flights.
People are being advised to check the flight details published on the BA website and to contact NHS Direct or a special helpline number if they travelled on the named flights.
Advice
A spokeswoman for BA said the airline had also been "proactively calling passengers" and hoped to have contacted the majority before the end of Thursday.
A spokeswoman for BA said the airline had also been "proactively calling passengers" and hoped to have contacted the majority before the end of Thursday.
An estimated 3,000 staff would also need to be checked, BA said.
An estimated 3,000 staff would also need to be checked, BA said.
DESTINATIONS AFFECTED MoscowBarcelonaDusseldorfAthensLarnacaStockholmViennaFrankfurtIstanbulMadrid All flight numbers published on the BA website
DESTINATIONS AFFECTED MoscowBarcelonaDusseldorfAthensLarnacaStockholmViennaFrankfurtIstanbulMadrid All flight numbers published on the BA website
Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning.
Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning.
Traces of radioactive polonium-210 were discovered in his body and more traces of the substance were found at venues he visited in the capital on 1 November.
Traces of radioactive polonium-210 were discovered in his body and more traces of the substance were found at venues he visited in the capital on 1 November.
Scotland Yard has not said why it became interested in the planes, which were used on flights to Moscow and other European destinations over a five-week period.
Scotland Yard has not said why it became interested in the planes, which were used on flights to Moscow and other European destinations over a five-week period.
But detectives are known to be tracing the movements of those who associated with Mr Litvinenko.
But detectives are known to be tracing the movements of those who associated with Mr Litvinenko.
The BBC's Richard Galpin said the traces could be there from anyone who had been in contact with Mr Litvinenko, or could have come from someone bringing the substance to the UK.
The BBC's Richard Galpin said the traces could be there from anyone who had been in contact with Mr Litvinenko, or could have come from someone bringing the substance to the UK.
The alert involves 221 flights made by the three short-haul 767s in Europe between 25 October, a week before Mr Litvinenko's death, and November 29.
The alert involves 221 flights made by the three short-haul 767s in Europe between 25 October, a week before Mr Litvinenko's death, and November 29.
British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC that the aircraft affected were all of the same type, and were being carefully examined.
British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC that the aircraft affected were all of the same type, and were being carefully examined.
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
"Three specific aircraft were initially identified - three 767s," he said. "Two of those aircraft have been tested, and very low levels of radioactive traces have been discovered on the aircraft."
"Three specific aircraft were initially identified - three 767s," he said. "Two of those aircraft have been tested, and very low levels of radioactive traces have been discovered on the aircraft."
Mr Walsh said that the aircraft had made a large number of flights since they were contaminated, carrying many thousands of passengers, and the company was trying to alert them all.
Mr Walsh said that the aircraft had made a large number of flights since they were contaminated, carrying many thousands of passengers, and the company was trying to alert them all.
"In total, there are 221 flights involved, involving the three aircraft. We estimate that there are 33,000 passengers involved."
"In total, there are 221 flights involved, involving the three aircraft. We estimate that there are 33,000 passengers involved."
Low risk
Low risk
The chief executive of Britain's Health Protection Agency, Professor Pat Troop, said that if the source of the radiation was the same as that which killed Mr Litvinenko - polonium-210 - the risk of serious contamination to passengers was small.
The chief executive of Britain's Health Protection Agency, Prof Pat Troop, said that if the source of the radiation was the same as that which killed Mr Litvinenko - polonium-210 - the risk of serious contamination to passengers was small.
"What we have heard is that it's either traces or very low levels and what we have learnt so far in our investigation... is that where we have got these areas of low level radiation it doesn't seem to pose a significant health threat."
"What we have heard is that it's either traces or very low levels and what we have learnt so far in our investigation... is that where we have got these areas of low level radiation it doesn't seem to pose a significant health threat."
The inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death is due to open today at St Pancras Coroner's Court.
The inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death is due to open today at St Pancras Coroner's Court.
However, it will be adjourned until the police investigation into his death has been completed.
However, it will be adjourned until the police investigation into his death has been completed.
Home Secretary John Reid is expected to make a statement to Parliament concerning the investigation today.
Home Secretary John Reid is expected to make a statement to Parliament concerning the investigation today.
British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or 0191 211 3690 for international calls.
British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or 0191 211 3690 for international calls.
Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
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