Glowing in the dark?

It's slightly disconcerting to find I was a passenger on one of the radioactive contaminated BA planes - a flight from Istanbul to London earlier this month. Of course we are told the risk is "very low" but to consult NHS Direct, BA or your GP. BA tell me they have no details and to contact NHS direct, but the risk is "very low". NHS Direct say they have no details, and no idea what the symptoms may be, but the risk is "very low". I'm not convinced the average GP would know much about Polonium-210 or the symptoms of contamination. But they could probably tell me the risk is "very low". I'm sure it is, and am not seriously concerned - but there is still a difference of some significance between "very low" and none...and the complete absence of public information about symptoms or prudent action means that confidence in how it's being handled is also, perhaps, on the low side.

Comments

[Heather Yaxley]

When my father was very ill in France a few years ago, I learned to ignore medical risk statistics as they are meaningless. We didn't know whether he was one of the 20% who die or the 80% or don't - so the figure wasn't helpful. And whatever happened to him (fortunately he got well), affected future statistics.

I hope that you and everyone else who is at "low risk" proves not to have been affected in this case. And that medical "experts" begin to realise such statements are pointless and treat the public with the respect we deserve.

[Richard S]

Thanks Heather - sage advice!

[Chris Edwards]

If you're worried about radiation, stop flying.

Unless you were unlucky enough to inhale a flake of Po-210, you probably got a higher dose of radiation from not-so-nearby quasars. Cosmic radiation levels at 10 000m are 150 times higher than at sea level. As a result, aircrew can end up with higher annual radiation doses than workers in nuclear-power stations. And don't rule out the lump of depleted uranium sitting in the plane's tail as a source of gamma rays.

[Jackie Danicki]

When I heard on the radio that passengers were being told to consult NHS Direct, I couldn't help but laugh. How unsurprising that you've just been subject to a cycle of buck-passing.

[David Brain]

I fly to Moscow on Monday Richard. Any messages I can pass on?

[richard s]

Thanks Chris - very reassuring (I think...)

David - just avoid the sushi.

[Patrizia Broghammer]

I feel very concerned by the fact that RADIOACTIVE substances ACTUALLY entered Europe and London, so easily and nobody sees it...
This is a wonderful message for the terrorists.
What about dropping some of that in the water in London?
How many would be affected?

This is a huge thread and I do not understand why NOBODY pointed it out..

[Juliano (I need economic luxury travel!) Ramos]

I don't get how such a health risk can be swept under the rug by our officials. I was just having a conversation about this the other day - about how certain areas of the world are very proactive when it comes to people's safety and put in precautions without being told; others, need people to fall ill or even become terminal before things are taken seriously. It's very pathetic. I hope you don't end up being one of the statistics.