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Polonium-210 - the facts7 November 2006 On 1 November the Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko was exposed to the radioactive substance polonium-210. Traces of polonium-210 have been found at a number of places Mr Litvinenko visited since coming into contact with it. It has also been detected on three British Airways planes, in the Arsenal football stadium and other public places. In response to public concern, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued advice on polonium-210. What is polonium-210?Polonium-210 is a naturally occurring radioactive material. It is found in small amounts in the atmosphere, soil, tobacco and even in our bodies. It is used in industry to prevent the build up of static electricity in processes such as rolling paper, wire and sheet metal. It's also used in de-ionizing hairbrushes. But when ingested or inhaled at high doses, polonium-210 can cause serious illness. The radiation it emits can damage tissues and organs such as the bone marrow, kidneys, spleen and liver. Polonium-210 has a half-life of 138 days. This means that it takes 138 days to lose half of its strength. As it breaks down, it releases alpha radiation. Alpha radiation can only travel a few centimetres in air and can be stopped by a sheet of paper. How does polonium-210 get into the body?Because polonium-210 can't pass through the skin, it must be ingested, inhaled or injected into the body to cause damage. This means it's very unlikely that the general public is at risk from the small amounts of polonium-210 that have been found. A person would need to have had direct contact with Mr Litvinenko's bodily fluids such as sweat, vomit, urine or faeces to be at any risk and even then the risk is low because the amount in the bodily fluids are small. The most likely route of polonium-210 entering the body is by ingestion from contaminated hands. This means touching contaminated bodily fluid and then touching your mouth, eating or drinking without having washed your hands. Symptoms of polonium-210 poisoningEarly symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. These usually appear within 48 hours of exposure. If a large dose is absorbed through the gut, it can cause bone marrow failure with symptoms such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising and sudden hair loss two to four weeks after exposure. Most of the ingested polonium-210 will pass out of the body in the faeces. Testing for radiationPolonium-210 can be detected in faeces and urine. If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to polonium-210 you should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647. You will be asked a set of questions and depending on the results you may be tested for radioactivity. This will involve giving urine and faeces samples. What is the risk to the public?The risk of having been exposed to this type of radiation is very low. If anyone has been contaminated by polonium-210 having visited a place where polonium-210 has been detected it's unlikely that they would receive a radiation dose high enough to cause serious health effects. The HPA has confirmed that passengers who travelled on the three British Airways planes were not at risk following the discovery of low traces of polonium-210. The area in the Arsenal football stadium has been checked and there is no risk to public health. Further information
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