NYT: Significant amount of Polonium 210 would require a nuclear lab

[deminks]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/24/world/europe/24cnd-isotope.html

Polonium 210 Is Highly Radioactive and Toxic

If substantial large amounts of polonium 210 were used to poison Alexander Litvinenko, whoever did it presumably had access to a high-level nuclear laboratory and put himself at some risk carrying out the assassination, experts said today.

Polonium 210 is highly radioactive and very toxic. By weight, it is about 250 million times as toxic as cyanide, so a particle smaller than a dust mote — too small to see — could be fatal. Handling it is dangerous and requires special equipment.

It is also extremely rare in nature, although it occurs in uranium ores and has been found in minute quantities in tobacco and other plants. But making the “significant quantities” described the by the British Health Protection Agency would require a nuclear laboratory that could bombard bismuth with neutrons to produce the element.

“To most chemists, this is astonishing,” said Dr. Andrea Sella, a lecturer in inorganic chemistry at London’s University College. “This is not available commercially.

“This is not the kind of weapon that any kind of amateur could construct,” he added. “It would require real resources to do it.” “

Officials also worried about doing autopsy:

http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=46130

Now that British officials have determined that a former Russian spy was poisoned with a radioactive substance, they're wondering if it's safe to perform an autopsy.

Meanwhile, police and military radiation experts are searching several locations in London, including the sushi bar where Alexander Litvinenko ate before becoming ill, and his house. Police say traces of radiation have been found at both locations, as well as a hotel he visited.

[angstlessk]

1. So basically since he was poisoned there is a 'trace' of him wherever

he went? Is there a 'before' the sushi bar place they could pick up the trace element? Have they looked?

And putin does not think being poisoned is a violent death? I guess, he, being KGB likes that 'crowbar' crap?

[John Q. Citizen]

2. Those tin foil hatters at the NYT and the Brits involved see conspiracy everywhere,

apparently.

This is impossible, because too many people would have to be involved and someone would have talked by now.

It was probably just food poisioning from bad sushi. Happens all the time.....

[angstlessk]

3. You forgot your sacarsm smilie! n/t cept LMAO!

[Howardx]

4. hehe

very good:)

[HereSince1628]

5. If you know the cause of death, why even do an autopsy?

Seems sort of pointless except that it will contribute data for a number of publications.