What is Polonium 210? -- Is Po-210 harmful to humans? -- Are other people at risk if they come into close contact with a contaminated person? -- What should you do if you were a passenger on one of the British Airways flights or a guest in a London hotel that is being investigated? -- Should you be concerned about possible polonium exposure if you are planning to travel to London now?

Wednesday, December 06, 2006, 0:07 EST (12:07 PM EST)

CDCHAN-00254-2006-12-06-UPD-N

Recent events in the United Kingdom involving radioactive material Polonium-210 (Po-210) has caused concerns for possible public health risks. The U.K. Health Protection Agency has information about Po-210 and this event on their website: (www.hpa.org.uk/). More information on this topic can be found on the U.K. National Health Service website (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=2086).+++ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed clinician guidance for patients who believe they may have been affected by Po-210 while traveling to or staying in the U.K. (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/isotopes/polonium/clinicians.asp).

Health Alert Network (HAN)

Great Britain