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The Department of Health (DH) today (November 30) drew the public's attention to a statement issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of England and Wales concerning a case in which small quantities of radioactive material were found in a number of areas in London, urging people who had visited the areas concerned on November 1 to contact them for health advice.
The HPA appeal was made after the death of a man who might have been exposed to the radioactive material called Polonium-210 (Po-210).
The statement said small quantities of the radioactive material were found in a number of areas at the Itsu sushi restaurant at 167 Piccadilly, London and in areas of the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London and at the home of the deceased in London.
A DH spokesman said information from the HPA has so far indicated that the risk of having been exposed to Po-210 remained low.
"Po-210 can only present a radiation hazard if it is taken into the body ﷿ by breathing it in, by taking it into the mouth or if it gets into a wound.
"It is not a radiological hazard as long as it remains outside the body. Most traces of it can be eliminated through hand washing, or washing machine and dishwasher cycles," the spokesman said.
Member of the public who visited any of the above places on November 1 are advised to contact the HPA via e-mail (overseas advice@hpa.org.uk ) or contact the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom on +44 845 4647 to seek further advice. More information on Po-210 can be obtained at the NHS website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk and the HPA website www.hpa.org.uk.
They may also contact DH's Radiation Health Unit at 2977 1889 or 2977 1876 for health advice during office hours if necessary.
Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:37
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