Polonium 210 Poisoned Litvinenko
The BBC is reporting that radioactive polonium 210 was detected in the body of Alexander Litvinenko.
Mr Litvinenko's death has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body.
Scotland Yard confirmed traces were also found at his home, a sushi bar and a hotel, but the risk to others was said by health experts to be very low.
The Kremlin has denied UK citizen Mr Litvinenko's claims it was involved.
The traces were found at the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, and at Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London, Scotland Yard said.
Polonium 210 is very, very nasty stuff when ingested. It is also exceedingly hard to get. Naturally occurring polonium 210 makes up about 100 micrograms in a ton of pitchblende (uranium ore). It is most easily made by bombarding bismuth 209 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. This looks very much like a state sponsored murder.
UPDATE: Others: Fausta's blog, Hot Air, Gina Cobb, JunkYardBlog, Daimnation!, Ace of Spades HQ, Little Green Footballs, The Political Pit Bull , Ace of Spades, Power Line, The Moderate Voice, The Missal,
World news | Gaius November 24, 2006
By guy, November 24, 2006 @ 1:45 pm
So why bother using it? If they wanted him dead there’s LOADS of other poisons available that are easier to get - and transport.
By Gaius, November 24, 2006 @ 2:21 pm
Sending a message? Hell, I have no idea what motivates them.
By Jonathan Brooks, December 7, 2006 @ 4:19 pm
Thought American Elements’ website (www.americanelements.com)would a useful resource–info on Po 210 and 100s of other Isotopes, Nanomaterials, etc. (Disclaimer: I’m an engineer with the company!)