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The Department of Health today (December 8) called on people who had visited London between October 29 and November 2 to take note of an updated statement issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of England and Wales concerning the case of Polonium-210 (Po-210) in London on November 1 this year.
The statement urged anyone who had visited the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel at Grosvenor Square between October 31 and November 2 this year to contact the HPA by email at overseasadvice@hpa.org.uk or call the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom direct on (44) 845 4647 by mobile phone which will pass on their personal details to HPA for health assessment.
A Department of Health spokesman said information from the HPA had 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.
People can also contact the department's Radiation Health Unit at 2977 1876 for health advice during office hours if necessary.
The department has so far received 34 telephone calls from the public. Of these calls, 31 were general enquiries not requiring follow up assessments. Three people had visited the places concerned on the specific dates. They were referred to the Hospital Authority for clinical assessment. Initial investigations were negative. They are all stable and are being followed up by the Hospital Authority.
The department will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with HPA for further information.
Ends/Friday, December 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:04
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