[Temslist] Update: Information About Polonium-210

[Tidewater EMS Council Listserv]

This is an official CDC Health Update

Distributed via Health Alert Network

December 06, 2006, 12:07 EST (12:07PM EST) CDCHAN-00254-06-12-06-UPD-N 

Update: Information About Polonium-210 in Recent Events in the United
Kingdom

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). 

In addition, CDC provides the following basic questions and responses
about this topic. 

What is Polonium 210? 

Polonium-210 (Po-210) is a radioactive material that occurs in nature at
very low levels. Although Po-210 can be made in university or government
nuclear reactors, it requires expertise to do so. The exposures to this
radioactive material in London are a very rare event. Po-210 emits alpha
particles, which carry high amounts of energy that can damage or destroy
genetic material in cells inside the body. Po-210 gives off 5,000 times
more alpha particles than does the same amount of radium. Po-210 is used
in some devices to get rid of static electricity in processes such as
rolling paper, manufacturing sheet plastics, and spinning synthetic
fibers.

Is Po-210 harmful to humans? 

Po-210 is a radiation hazard only if it is taken into the body through
breathing or eating or by entering a wound. This "internal
contamination" can cause radiation exposure (irradiation) of internal
organs, which can result in serious medical symptoms or death. Po-210 is
not a hazard to the outside of the body-neither polonium nor its
radiation will go through unbroken skin or membranes. Careful washing
will remove most external traces of Po-210. For more information about
contamination and irradiation, see CDC's fact sheet "Radiological
Contamination and Radiation Exposure"
(www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/contamination.asp).

Are other people at risk if they come into close contact with a
contaminated person? 
People will not be exposed to radiation just by being near a person who
is internally contaminated with Po-210. Health care workers who are
providing care for a contaminated patient will not be exposed to Po-210
unless they breathe in, eat, or drink contaminated bodily fluids. Normal
hygiene practices in hospitals for microbial contamination will protect
workers from radiological contamination.  For more information on
radiation protection for health care workers, see CDC's "Radiological
Terrorism: Tool Kit for Emergency Services Clinicians"
(www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/toolkit.asp).

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?

As of December 4, 2006, the U.K. Health Protection Agency has stated
that there have been no issues of public health concern to British
Airways passengers. Passengers who traveled on any of the investigated
planes during the last month were not at risk to Po-210 contamination
(see www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb).

In addition, the U.K. Health Protection Agency reported that the Ashdown
Park Hotel and Best Western Hotel, Shaftesbury Avenue, in London have
been checked. No public health concern has been found. A potentially
affected area in the Emirates Stadium has been checked, and there is no
risk to public health. 

If you were at any of these locations and you do not have physical
symptoms, you should not need routine medical screening.  

However, if you were at any of these locations and you have particular
concerns about your health or symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, hair loss, or unusual bleeding (see CDC fact sheet at
www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ars.asp ), see your health care provider, who
may be able to advise whether further evaluation or testing is needed.

For more information, visit the U.K. Health Protection Agency site at
www.hpa.org.uk/ and send an e-mail requesting information to
overseasadvice at hpa.org.uk. 

Should you be concerned about possible polonium exposure if you are
planning to travel to London now? 
There is no evidence to suggest that you are at any risk for radiation
exposure or contamination if you are traveling to the United Kingdom. 

  

NOTE:  The CDC HAN web site has been relocated. The link to the new site
location is: http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/.  If you maintain or contribute
to a web site that links to the CDC HAN web site you should update the
link. Also, to ensure the widest dissemination of this change, it would
be appreciated if you would distribute this notification as appropriate.
Thank you! 

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