Collateral contamination concomitant to the polonium-210 poisoning of Mr Alexander Litvinenko
Mr Litvinenko died on 23 November 2006, having been poisoned with polonium-210 on 1 November, with
evidence of a previous poisoning attempt during October 2006. Measurements of 210 Po in urine
samples were made for a large number of people to determine whether they may have been contaminated.
In the majority of cases, measured levels were attributable to the presence of 210 Po from normal
dietary sources. For a small number of cases, elevated levels provided evidence of direct
contamination associated with the poisonings. For one individual, while estimated doses were below
thresholds for irreversible organ damage, a notably increased risk of cancer can be inferred. The
use of the chelating agent, unithiol, to increase 210 Po excretion in this case was only moderately
effective in reducing doses received.
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - Category: Physics Authors: John Harrison, Tracy Smith, Tim Fell, Jenny Smith, George Ham, Richard Haylock, Alan Hodgson and George Etherington Source Type: research