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| Polonium test continuing for 17 | |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Seventeen people exposed to radiation after the poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko are continuing to be monitored five months on. | Seventeen people exposed to radiation after the poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko are continuing to be monitored five months on. |
| All have been assigned a doctor, provide regular samples for testing and have been offered counselling. | All have been assigned a doctor, provide regular samples for testing and have been offered counselling. |
| After testing positive for polonium-210, they were told they had a greater long-term risk of cancer. | After testing positive for polonium-210, they were told they had a greater long-term risk of cancer. |
| Among them were hotel staff and guests, and Marina Litvinenko. Her husband died in London last November. | Among them were hotel staff and guests, and Marina Litvinenko. Her husband died in London last November. |
| A major public health investigation was launched by the Health Protection Agency after Mr Litvinenko's body was found to contain high levels of the radioactive substance polonium-210. | A major public health investigation was launched by the Health Protection Agency after Mr Litvinenko's body was found to contain high levels of the radioactive substance polonium-210. |
| They have elevated levels of polonium-210 in their bodies which does slightly increase the their risk of cancer later in life Dr Michael Clark | |
| It is still ongoing and has cost £2m so far and involved hundreds of agency staff. | It is still ongoing and has cost £2m so far and involved hundreds of agency staff. |
| In all, more than 700 people in the UK have been tested for radiation. | In all, more than 700 people in the UK have been tested for radiation. |
| Of those, 17 were found to have levels that were not high enough to cause illness in the short term, but in the long term there may be a very small increased risk of cancer. | Of those, 17 were found to have levels that were not high enough to cause illness in the short term, but in the long term there may be a very small increased risk of cancer. |
| Dr Michael Clark, of the Health Protection Agency, said: "The 17 are not likely to see any health effects in their lifetime. | Dr Michael Clark, of the Health Protection Agency, said: "The 17 are not likely to see any health effects in their lifetime. |
| "These people have not been poisoned, they have elevated levels of polonium-210 in their bodies which does slightly increase their risk of cancer later in life." | |
| A further 673 people from 52 different countries were also tested. | A further 673 people from 52 different countries were also tested. |
| Just three were found to have had possible contact with polonium-210, but their levels posed no risk to their health. | Just three were found to have had possible contact with polonium-210, but their levels posed no risk to their health. |
| The Pine Bar at the Millennium Hotel remains closed | The Pine Bar at the Millennium Hotel remains closed |
| The HPA has also taken requests for particular individuals to be tested for radiation from the Metropolitan Police, which is investigating Mr Litvinenko's death. | The HPA has also taken requests for particular individuals to be tested for radiation from the Metropolitan Police, which is investigating Mr Litvinenko's death. |
| The Millennium Hotel in Mayfair where he met his associate Dmitry Kovtun and his business partner Andrei Lugovoi, on 1 November 2006, emerged as being at the heart of the polonium trail. | The Millennium Hotel in Mayfair where he met his associate Dmitry Kovtun and his business partner Andrei Lugovoi, on 1 November 2006, emerged as being at the heart of the polonium trail. |
| Four guests at the hotel's Pine Bar and nine members of staff were among the 17 to test positive. | Four guests at the hotel's Pine Bar and nine members of staff were among the 17 to test positive. |
| According to the hotel, all nine members of staff are still working there. | According to the hotel, all nine members of staff are still working there. |
| Others affected include two employees of the Sheraton Hotel, in Park Lane, who are both still working there, and one member of staff from Best Western Hotel in Piccadilly. | Others affected include two employees of the Sheraton Hotel, in Park Lane, who are both still working there, and one member of staff from Best Western Hotel in Piccadilly. |
| Police investigation | Police investigation |
| Tests for radiation were carried out at all three hotels, and a further 11 sites. | Tests for radiation were carried out at all three hotels, and a further 11 sites. |
| At the Millennium Hotel, the Pine Bar and several guest bedrooms remain shut while remediation work continues to seal or remove contaminated material. | At the Millennium Hotel, the Pine Bar and several guest bedrooms remain shut while remediation work continues to seal or remove contaminated material. |
| However, it is understood that by the end of the month all except two sites where work has taken place, will be open. | However, it is understood that by the end of the month all except two sites where work has taken place, will be open. |
| Only Mr Litvinenko's London home, and offices in Grosvenor Street will remain shut, largely due to difficulties in tracing the property owners who live abroad. | |
| Meanwhile, the police investigation in the UK is still continuing and some information has already been passed onto the Crown Prosecution Service. | Meanwhile, the police investigation in the UK is still continuing and some information has already been passed onto the Crown Prosecution Service. |
| The latest development in the independent investigation by Russian police was an interview with Russian billionaire, Boris Berezovsky. | The latest development in the independent investigation by Russian police was an interview with Russian billionaire, Boris Berezovsky. |