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Disaster Preparedness More A Priority Than Fear Of Radiation Poisoning

radiationsymbolDespite the dire situation in Japan, where radiation is being released from the reactors at the Fukushima plant damaged in last week’s magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, the West Coast is not in harm’s way from an airborne cloud of radiation.

Air quality is being monitored by several agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as local agencies such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and all concur that there is no threat to the population of the United States.


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“More than 5,000 miles of ocean separate Los Angeles from the damaged nuclear reactors, so any leaking radiation should disburse well before reaching the West Coast of the United States,” the AQMD posted on its website.

A run on potassium chloride tablets, which some people are taking as a precautionary measure, is also unfounded and could prove more harmful than good. Potassium chloride can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish and those who have thyroid problems. Consumers should also beware of fraudulent products, including potassium chloride tablets or other remedies purported to be “radiation protection” that are offered online.

In addition, to address concerns about fish and other sea-borne products that could be harvested from the quake-ravaged area, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that the amount of water in the Pacific Ocean rapidly dilutes any radioactive material, so fish and seafood are likely to be unaffected. Be assured, however, that screening procedures are in place to ensure the quality of any food obtained from international sources.

American travelers have been advised to observe a 50-mile safety radius from the reactor site and the U.S. State Department is recommending that travelers defer any nonessential travel to Japan. Updates to State Department recommendations is available on their website at http://travel.state.com

Also, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials are continuing to screen arrivals as part of their standard operating procedures of using radiation detectors for both passengers and cargo from all international destinations.

Los Angeles County Health Officer Jonathan Fielding cautions county residents to worry more about their preparedness for upcoming disasters, such as earthquakes, than the threat of radiation poisoning.

“The ongoing emergency in Japan should remind everyone throughout the world that disasters – natural and man-made – can strike without warning,” he said. “Please take this moment to evaluate your own disaster plan and to restock your emergency kit. Public Health has online resources to guide you through emergency preparedness here.”

According to their website at www.aqmd.gov, the AQMD will continue to monitor and assess the hourly radiation levels at sites in Southern California and elsewhere in the United States.  It will also assess the weather conditions affecting the potential movement of airborne radioactive material across the Pacific Ocean.  Updates will appear on their website daily or more frequently if needed.

Further general information on EPA’s radiation monitoring network can be found at http://www.epa.gov/narel/radnet/. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s response to the situation can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/.

Disaster Preparedness More A Priority Than Fear Of Radiation Poisoning

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