Low risk for any Canadians who may have travelled on two British Airways aircraft found to have very low traces of radioactive contamination

December 5, 2006

Following the detection of very low traces of radioactive contamination (Polonium-210) yesterday, British Airways is contacting passengers who have travelled on specific flights between Heathrow Airport and several European cities. Some of these passengers may include Canadians or persons living in Canada.

Health Canada would like to reassure Canadians that the risk to the public from this situation is quite low. This situation report has been prepared to share the latest information available for those who may be concerned. This report will be updated as more information becomes available.

What is Health Canada doing?

Following discussions with officials in the United Kingdom (UK) and experts in the European Union, Health Canada has determined that the health risk to Canadians who may have been onboard the British Airways flights in question is minimal. Health Canada's Radiation Protection Bureau continues to respond to requests for information from concerned members of the public. This includes Canadians who may have travelled on one of the affected aircraft or who visited other sites where UK authorities have found evidence of radioactive contamination.

To date overall risk continues to be low and Health Canada is in regular contact with international authorities in order to keep up-to-date with developments.

Health Canada has provided information to provincial authorities and healthcare workers on the situation to provide assistance in responding to any enquiries received.

What should the public do?

People who were on board the aircraft which were contaminated may be at risk if quantities of the radioactive contamination went inside their bodies, through eating, drinking or through touching hand to mouth.

Family members, friends, colleagues or other contacts of passengers who travelled on the affected flights are not at risk.

While the risk to the public is assessed to be very low, any Canadians who have travelled on these flights and who are concerned should contact their local physician or Health Canada's Radiation Protection Bureau at (613) 954-6647 for information.

Background

The United Kingdom Health Protection Agency is providing expert advice on the public health issues surrounding a death from apparent radiation poisoning on November 23, 2006. The radioactive substance polonium-210 has been linked as the possible cause. In the course of the ongoing investigation, British authorities have been monitoring several sites in London, UK for evidence of radioactive contamination.

Link to UK Health Protection Agency

On Wednesday, November 29, 2006, the UK Health Protection Agency began testing of three British Airways aircraft, two at Heathrow Airport and one in Moscow.

Subsequently, British Airways announced that testing had confirmed very low traces of a radioactive substance onboard two of the three aircraft. Despite the low risk to public health, the airline is in the process of making contact with customers who have travelled on flights operated by the airline, which were all within Europe.

Link to list of affected aircraft and flights

All non-UK nationals have been asked to contact their local doctor. At this time, the number of Canadians who may have travelled on these European flights is not known.

What is polonium-210?

Polonium is a radioactive element that occurs naturally in very low concentrations in the earth's crust. There are tiny amounts in our bodies and small quantities in the soil and air. Polonium can also be man-made in a nuclear reactor.

What are its health affects?

Polonium-210 is a health hazard only if it goes inside the body. External exposure is not a concern because polonium produces alpha radiation, which does not penetrate the skin. If it gets inside the body through eating, drinking or touching hand to mouth in large amounts, it can cause acute radiation sickness.

What are sources of polonium-210 in Canada?

Most foods contain minute traces of naturally-occurring polonium-210. The levels are somewhat higher in certain specialty foods such as caribou meat or seafoods. None of the levels found in Canadian foods give any cause for health concern.