'Click Click goes the Geiger counter'
The recent death of Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in the UK is sending ripples out globally. Mr Litvenko died after somehow ingesting about a tenth of a gram of polonium-210. Initially reports suggested that he may have been poisoned after a meal in the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel London after consuming a meal of sushi with an Italian Mario Scaramella. Subsequently traces of the polonium-210 have been found at the hotel but the Academic Italian has been given the all clear. It seems that The Italian certainly didn't administer the poison.
Subsequently tests have been carried out at numerous locations and individuals that came in contact with Mr Litvinenko have been tested. To quote the coroner Dr Reid
"To date, around 24 venues have or are being monitored and experts have confirmed traces of contamination at around 12 of these venues," he said. He gave no details of the locations.
Of those members of the public who were concerned about potential exposure to radiation, 69 had been referred to the Health Protection Agency as a precaution, he said.
Urine tests on 29 people had not shown any evidence of contamination.
We have also seen several planes grounded, I believe at last count this now stands at 5 BAA planes and over 33,000 affected passengers and crew whom may have been exposed.
In my humble opinion this is all getting a little out of hand. From my knowledge of Polonium-210 it is highly active but only emits alpha particles over a short range. It has a high half life and if the amount that is suggested that was ingested the possible killer, even if they had accidentally leaked it on flights surely it couldn't have spread so far so easily. As it only emits alpha particles which can be blocked by pretty much any material it is a pretty low risk health scare as it needs to be ingested. Also the quantities ingested if it was being spread by say a contaminated persons sweat, urine or in some sort of aerosol would be unlikely to cause serious harm. We now know it takes about two weeks to kill through cellular damage thanks to Mr Litvinenko's untimely death.
A fact previously unknown as I believe this is the first ever recorded death from it.
Polonium-210 degrades to not very dangerous lead whereas other isotopes break down to other radioactive compounds so isn't that long lasting as far as hazardous materials go. Now if this was an assassination it would send a message of 'we will kill you with a slow lingering death' which is quite scary but it isn't efficient and if state sponsored by Russia as some are suggesting the killer is probably being hung drawn and quartered for the trail left behind. Also it could be considered an act of war killing a British citizen on UK soil in this manner. Not the best of moves, and in all probability a little far fetched.
And why so many affected planes?. Surely the killer would have taken the material out on one flight, used it and returned on another flight possibly tho unlikely to contaminate either, and if he did it would be the outward flight only and possible only if the killer had accidentally contaminated themselves the return flight. Are they globe trotting around now on holiday or what?. And surely would be getting ill or even dead like their mark....
This really is bloomin strange all the affected sites, planes and it's not exactly a killer substance. Is it the start of a false flag maneuver perhaps?. Is it a bizarre coincidence?. Is it a test run by terrorists.?. Is it something entirely one in a million. Watch this space.
Subsequently tests have been carried out at numerous locations and individuals that came in contact with Mr Litvinenko have been tested. To quote the coroner Dr Reid
"To date, around 24 venues have or are being monitored and experts have confirmed traces of contamination at around 12 of these venues," he said. He gave no details of the locations.
Of those members of the public who were concerned about potential exposure to radiation, 69 had been referred to the Health Protection Agency as a precaution, he said.
Urine tests on 29 people had not shown any evidence of contamination.
We have also seen several planes grounded, I believe at last count this now stands at 5 BAA planes and over 33,000 affected passengers and crew whom may have been exposed.
In my humble opinion this is all getting a little out of hand. From my knowledge of Polonium-210 it is highly active but only emits alpha particles over a short range. It has a high half life and if the amount that is suggested that was ingested the possible killer, even if they had accidentally leaked it on flights surely it couldn't have spread so far so easily. As it only emits alpha particles which can be blocked by pretty much any material it is a pretty low risk health scare as it needs to be ingested. Also the quantities ingested if it was being spread by say a contaminated persons sweat, urine or in some sort of aerosol would be unlikely to cause serious harm. We now know it takes about two weeks to kill through cellular damage thanks to Mr Litvinenko's untimely death.
A fact previously unknown as I believe this is the first ever recorded death from it.
Polonium-210 degrades to not very dangerous lead whereas other isotopes break down to other radioactive compounds so isn't that long lasting as far as hazardous materials go. Now if this was an assassination it would send a message of 'we will kill you with a slow lingering death' which is quite scary but it isn't efficient and if state sponsored by Russia as some are suggesting the killer is probably being hung drawn and quartered for the trail left behind. Also it could be considered an act of war killing a British citizen on UK soil in this manner. Not the best of moves, and in all probability a little far fetched.
And why so many affected planes?. Surely the killer would have taken the material out on one flight, used it and returned on another flight possibly tho unlikely to contaminate either, and if he did it would be the outward flight only and possible only if the killer had accidentally contaminated themselves the return flight. Are they globe trotting around now on holiday or what?. And surely would be getting ill or even dead like their mark....
This really is bloomin strange all the affected sites, planes and it's not exactly a killer substance. Is it the start of a false flag maneuver perhaps?. Is it a bizarre coincidence?. Is it a test run by terrorists.?. Is it something entirely one in a million. Watch this space.
