'Very ill' ... poisoned professor Scaramella
By MIKE SULLIVAN, Crime Editor
December 02, 2006
ITALIAN Mario Scaramella inhaled dust from the tiny polonium-210 grain that killed Alexander Litvinenko, police believed last night.
Detectives are convinced he was “nuked” as he breathed in particles coming from the former Russian spy’s food at their sushi bar meeting.
The professor — who was last night seriously ill in hospital with radiation poisoning — did not show immediate symptoms because his dose was far less than Litvinenko’s.
The news came as it was revealed Litvinenko’s wife Marina, 44, also tested positive for the radioactive substance — on her slippers.
The dose was said to be “negligible” and she was not admitted to hospital.
Scaramella confidentally said he was “clear on contamination” yesterday — then an hour later tested positive.
A urine sample showed “substantial” levels of polonium-210.
Positive test ... Litvinenko's wife Marina
Yesterday lunchtime he was whisked to hospital from the hotel where Scotland Yard had hidden him away for questioning.
Scotland Yard then asked him to return to Britain, where he is being treated as a witness.
Polonium-210 is only dangerous if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through a wound. One source said: “The fact the professor now has radiation poisoning tells us he must have been very close to the polonium-210.
“It is entirely feasible he inhaled the dust and does not necessarily indicate anything more sinister.”
Police will follow Scaramella’s radiation trail from the Itsu sushi bar, as well as Litvinenko’s — which has provided a wealth of clues.
thesun.co.uk