[ RadSafe ] Tests are set to be carried out on members of the public who may have come into contact with Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.

[Fred Dawson]

Tests are set to be carried out on members of the public who may have come 
into contact with Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.

BBC reports http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6182804.stm
His death has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive 
polonium-210 in his body.

Radioactive traces were found at a London hotel and sushi bar he visited on 
1 November. Tests are for those who may have been in contact with him.

Cobra, the UK's civil contingencies committee, has discussed the case.

Anyone who was in the Itsu restaurant, or who was in the Pine Bar of the 
Millennium Hotel on 1 November has been urged to contact NHS Direct on 0845 
4647.

An HPA spokeswoman said: "We expect that we are going to do [urine] tests 
and we expect that they are going to be negative and we have no reason to 
think customers are at risk."

Meanwhile, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has issued advice to GPs 
and hospitals on the risks and clinical implications of exposure to 
Polonium-210.

Managing Director of Itsu, Clive Schlee, said in a statement: "I have not 
had a single report from our staff or our customers of any illness related 
in any way to the events of 1 November."

He also stressed that the only Itsu affected is the branch at 167 Piccadilly 
and their interest was confined to those who visited the restaurant on 1 
November.

BBC home affairs correspondent Andy Tighe said various sites are being 
regarded as crime scenes.

Fred Dawson

fwp_dawson at hotmail.com