Post-mortem due on former Russian spy as more people tested for radiation
By Suzie Decker,WNS London Correspondent
LONDON - Pathologists are preparing to carry out a potentially hazardous post-mortem on former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, as growing numbers of people were tested for possible exposure to radiation. The specialist autopsy was due to be carried out at a London hospital, a week after the defector and Kremlin critic's urine was found to have large quantities of the radioactive substance polonium-210. Those present were to wear protective clothing to avoid contamination by traces of the highly-toxic isotope, believed to be responsible for ravaging Litvinenko's body before his death last week, the BBC reported.
The Russian's death last Thursday has triggered a growing health scare as traces of radiation have been found at more locations, and on board aircraft, apparently linked to the ex-spy or those who allegedly killed him. According to the latest figures, about 1,700 people have called the government-run health service's hotline saying they were at the locations Litvinenko is said to have visited on the day he fell ill. Of those, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) -- the body managing the unprecedented situation -- has followed up on 139 cases. As of Thursday, a total of 24 had been referred to specialists for an exposure assessment. Home Secretary John Reid told parliament Thursday that traces of radiation had been found at around 12 locations, out of a total of about 24 venues which were under investigation. Among people concerned about possible exposure to a radioactive substance found on two British Airways planes so far were Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and 2012 London Olympics organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe. They travelled to Barcelona on one of the BA aircraft. They have spoken to the authorities and the plane has since been given the all-clear. Britain's top police officer Sir Ian Blair said the cost of the police investigation so far was 300,000 pounds (590,000 dollars, 445,000 euros).
The probe has gradually homed in on a string of London locations -- including two hospitals, a sushi bar and a hotel -- and three BA planes used on London-Moscow flights. BA said it was doing everything it could, after taking calls from more than 7,500 concerned customers so far on its special helpline and receiving more than 60,000 hits on its Internet page relating to the radiation alert. The airline said earlier that about 33,000 of its passengers may have come into contact with a radioactive substance. British police and intelligence services increasingly suspect that "rogue elements" within the Russian state are behind Litvinenko's death on November 23, The Guardian reported on Friday, and they have apparently ruled out official Kremlin involvement. Citing sources within the police and intelligence services, the paper said investigators were hunting a group of five or more men who arrived in London shortly before Litvinenko fell ill on November 1, and watched a Champions League football match between London club Arsenal and CSKA Moscow the same day. The group, described thus far only as witnesses, flew back to Moscow shortly afterward.
posted by wnsworld @ 8:29 PM
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