Agencies announce progress on the Litvinenko remediation process

20 December 2006

The agencies dealing with the environmental consequences of the Alexander Litvinenko inquiry have begun the process of carrying out necessary remediation work to make the contaminated premises safe for public use prior to returning them to their owners. This work at various sites in central London is making good progress.

The agencies, led by Westminster City Council, will deal with any location identified in the inquiry on an individual basis. The Council will facilitate a survey and remediation process to remove any significant residual contamination, and arrange for a separate independent check - if necessary - to verify the work has been completed and the affected areas dealt with satisfactorily.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is providing advice and support on public health issues to local authorities and other agencies throughout the decontamination process. Their advice is that the contamination poses no risk while outside the body. However, if it is taken inside the body through inhalation, ingestion or through wounds, it can cause harm. Radioactivity decays away over time. Polonium-210 contamination will reduce to half the amount over a period of 138 days, and to half that level over the next 138 days, and so on. Therefore after a period of a few years, any current contamination will have essentially decayed away.

Where there is contamination, each site is assessed; action is then taken, depending on the level of concentration of polonium-210 identified and the nature of the surface contaminated. At many sites we are dealing with small patches of contamination. Most of the polonium-210 found is fixed to the underlying surface and is not easily transferred.

A protocol has been agreed between the local authorities in London that are leading the clean up process and agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive, the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the Environment Agency and the Department for Transport.

The protocol involves the following measures:

1. The Police alert Westminster City Council and the Health Protection Agency of venues where traces of radiation have been found
2. The HPA, in discussion with the council, identify the steps that need to be taken to ensure the premises are safe for public use
3. If the premises require remediation, the relevant local authorities use experts to assess the premises, and, working with the owner or occupier, facilitate the appointment of contractors to carry out a more detailed investigation of the affected area and remediate where necessary.

Remediation can involve one or more of the following:

1. Covering or painting over the source of activity to "seal" it in place so the contamination cannot enter the body until it has decayed away
2. Safely disposing of easily removable items
3. Leaving low level contamination in-situ where this does not pose a risk
4. Carrying out thorough decontamination work to reduce activity to a safe level.

Storage and disposal of radioactive wastes from the remediation work will be subject to regulatory agreement by the Environment Agency.

Following remediation, Westminster City Council will arrange for independent verification that the works have been completed satisfactorily and that the premises are safe for public use. This will be confirmed in writing to the premises manager.

During monitoring and remediation, operatives may wear protective clothing but this is purely a precaution to protect them from contamination during their work. It does not mean that there is any additional risk to the public. The operatives use instruments to detect the radiation, as it isn't visible.

Westminster City Council's Chief Executive, Peter Rogers, said: "Every step in this process has been taken with public safety paramount in our concerns. By combining due speed and minimal risk we hope to resolve this issue as quickly, and as safely, as possible. The sites will only be re-opened when all agencies are fully satisfied that the levels of contamination are reduced to a level which poses no danger whatsoever to the general public."

Professor Pat Troop, Health Protection Agency (HPA) Chief Executive, added: "The HPA has been working in partnership with local authorities and agencies throughout this incident providing advice and support to safeguard public health."

Government Decontamination Service (GDS), Chief Executive Robert Bettley-Smith said: "The Government Decontamination Service, which is a relatively new Government agency, is working with Westminster City Council and other local authorities to facilitate the decontamination as a result of having previously identified and evaluated specialist suppliers that could be engaged rapidly under pre-negotiated arrangements."

Ends

For further information, please contact the Westminster City Council press office on 0207 641 2259.

Notes for Editors

Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian spy, died in University College Hospital, London on Thursday 23 November, 2006. Tests have established that Mr Litvinenko had a significant quantity of the radioactive isotope polonium-210 in his body. The post-mortem took place on Friday, 1 December 2006, under the jurisdiction of the inner north London coroner, Dr Andrew Reid.

To date, 30 sites in London, including aircraft, have been identified as actually or potentially contaminated with polonium-210. The vast majority have since been declared safe for public use.

The GDS liaison teams are working with the local authorities to facilitate the decontamination process as needed and fully support the remediation and decontamination protocol. The GDS have also provided Westminster City Council with specimen contracts and charge rates from their Specialist Suppliers Framework.

The HPA has issued the following advice: polonium-210 occurs naturally and is present in the environment and in people at very low concentrations. As it emits alpha particles, polonium-210 can represent a radiation hazard if it is taken into the body - by breathing it in, by eating it, or if it gets into a wound. It is not a radiological hazard as long as it remains outside the body.

Questions and Answers

Q: How long does the remediation process take?

A: In low level contamination finds, which have predominantly been encountered in this case, the process should take about a week. Then the premises needs to be signed off by the relevant Local Authority to open to the public again. That time frame can increase in cases of higher contamination.

Q: What does the process involve?

A: Each site is assessed, checked and verified. The Government Decontamination Service (GDS) approved contractor will undertake the work agreed by the Decontamination and Recovery group which includes the Health Protection Agency, Health and Safety Executive, Government Decontamination Service, Environment Agency, Metropolitan Police and the relevant local council.

Q: What role does the Government Decontamination Service play?

A: The GDS was set up in October 2005 to provide advice and assistance to authorities responsible for decontamination after an accidental or deliberate release of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) materials. The GDS maintains a framework of approved private sector companies who may be called on to support responsible authorities in the decontamination process.

Q: How will the local authority ensure appropriate measures are taken to protect public health?

A: The council will work very closely with the Health Protection Agency to ensure the decontamination is done to the very highest standards.

Q: Health risks?

A: The Health Protection Agency has reassured the public that the risk of having been exposed to this substance remains low. It can only represent 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.

Q: Is it safe to go to venues which have been contaminated?

A: Any members of the public who have concerns about visiting hotels, or other venues in central London identified in the Alexander Litvinenko inquiry, should be reassured that those locations which are currently open are safe for public use.

Westminster Council is working closely with organisations such as the Health Protection Agency, Health and Safety Executive, and Government Decontamination Service to ensure any risk to the public or the wider environment is minimised and appropriate action taken.

Remediation of specific contaminated areas is ongoing. This process will be independently checked - if necessary - to confirm that the affected areas have been dealt with satisfactorily. Although some areas which have been identified have been closed to the public, all public areas which are currently open are safe for use.

Q: What's open and what's not?

A: As of December 18, 2006l, Itsu restaurant is closed, but it is expected to open in the New Year. The public areas of the Millennium, Sheraton Park Lane, Best Western and Parkes hotels are also open. We have not been advised by the Police that any other hotels or restaurants are under investigation and a risk to public health.

Q: Which local authorities are involved?

A: Westminster, Haringey, Lambeth, Camden, Kensington and East Sussex, will lead the remediation process in their areas.

Q: Will you find any more polonium-210?

A: It is unlikely that any new traces of polonium-210 will be identified. However, as this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to completely rule out any further finds.

Q: How many people have been tested and what are the results?

A: The Health Protection Agency website has the latest information at www.hpa.org.uk