The information below was created by Public Health Seattle King County and is being provided as an FYI. For Official information from the Washington State Department of Health use this link: Japanese Earthquake 2011 - What does it mean for Washington?
How the nuclear reactor event in Japan affects King County
Updated 3/15/11, 3:00 PM
I’m alarmed by the news about the nuclear reactors in Japan. Do experts here think we’re at risk from radioactivity coming from Japan?
News of the unfolding events at the nuclear reactors shows a very serious radiological situation in northeast Japan. Here in our state, experts at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Washington Department of Health Radiation Protection agency do not expect significant levels of radioactivity or any health risk from the situation in Japan. We could see a very small increase in radiation levels, but they would be well below levels that would be a health concern. As a precaution, federal and state agencies will continue to monitor radiation levels in the air and rain water.
Why would radioactivity from Japan not be dangerous if it arrived here?
Radioactivity can travel, but it thins out as it moves away from the source. Any radioactivity from the reactors would be diluted by the winds and the distance it takes to travel to Washington. Radiation experts at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Washington State Department of Health expect that the concentration of radioactivity would be too low to cause any health effects to people in the Pacific Northwest.
Is there a pill that will protect me?
No, there is no pill that completely protects against radiation. Potassium iodide (KI) pills protect part of the body against very specific kinds of radiation (radioactive iodine), but they only helpful under a very specific set of conditions. Some people could also be harmed by the high concentration of iodine in KI because of allergies or other health issues. We do not recommend purchasing or using KI as the situation. There’s no scenario involving the nuclear plants in Japan that would lead to a recommendation for people in Washington to take KI. More information on KI is available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp
Internet sources suggest taking large doses of iodine water purification tablets. Is that a good alternative?
NO. In fact, state health officials counsel against taking anything to prevent against radiation exposure when there’s no unusual radiation source.
What if the situation gets worse with the reactors in Japan?
We don’t know what will happen in Japan, but the state Department of Health has determined that even in the event of a significant release from the reactor, radiation should be diluted before reaching our state. In that radiation levels would be so low that no protective action would be necessary. The state health department will continue its monitoring work as the situation in Japan develops and changes.
For more information: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/japan2011.htm
