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Memo Of The Week

Public Concern over Fallout Related to Nuclear Power Plant in Japan

According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), given the thousands of miles between the two countries, Hawaii, Alaska, the US Territories and the U.S West Coast are not “expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity.” However, in an effort to address any concerns that the public has about potential radiation exposure due to the recent Tsunami that hit Japan, we’d like the community to be aware that Mendocino County staff are continuing to receive up-to-date information.

In the event that radiation exposure is imminent, Public Health will declare a State of Emergency. In such an event we would work with the State Department of Public Health and local pharmacies to dispense Potassium/Iodide (KI). It’s been brought to our attention that people have or are attempting to stock up. It’s important to know more about Potassium/Iodide. For complete information about KI, go to www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tsunamis/

We are not advising that anyone take precautionary measures at this time as there may be contraindications for certain populations.

The California Department of Public Health has set up a public information hotline to answer questions related to this topic. Please call (916) 341-3947.

Contact: Craig McMillan, M.D., PHO, Mendocino County Health & Human Services. (707) 472-2777. Email: roperc@co.mendocino.ca.us.

2 Comments

  1. chuck becker March 18, 2011

    Late night from the northernmost reaches of Marin, I’m noticing a faint blue glow on the western horizon. No fooling: my prayers to and for the Japanese.

  2. Steve March 22, 2011

    RADIATION RISKS TO HEALTH
    A Joint Statement from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Thyroid Association, The Endocrine Society, & the Society of Nuclear Medicine
    March 18, 2011

    The recent nuclear reactor accident in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami has raised fears of radiation exposure to populations in North America from the potential plume of radioactivity crossing the Pacific Ocean. The principal radiation source of concern is radioactive iodine including iodine-131, a radioactive isotope that presents a special risk to health because iodine is concentrated in the thyroid gland and exposure of the thyroid to high levels of radioactive iodine may lead to development of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer years later. During the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident in 1986, people in the surrounding region were exposed to radioactive iodine principally from intake of food and milk from contaminated farmlands. As demonstrated by the Chernobyl experience, pregnant women, fetuses, infants and children are at the highest risk for developing thyroid cancer whereas adults over age 20 are at negligible risk.

    Radioiodine uptake by the thyroid can be blocked by taking potassium iodide (KI) pills or solution, most importantly in these sensitive populations. However, KI should not be taken in the absence of a clear risk of exposure to a potentially dangerous level of radioactive iodine because potassium iodide can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, salivary gland inflammation, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in a small percentage of people. Since radioactive iodine decays rapidly, current estimates indicate there will not be a hazardous level of radiation reaching the United States from this accident. When an exposure does warrant KI to be taken, it should be taken as directed by physicians or public health authorities until the risk for significant exposure to radioactive iodine dissipates, but probably for no more than 1-2 weeks. With radiation accidents, the greatest risk is to populations close to the radiation source. While some radiation may be detected in the United States and its territories in the Pacific as a result of this accident, current estimates indicate that radiation amounts will be little above baseline atmospheric levels and will not be harmful to the thyroid gland or general health.

    We discourage individuals needlessly purchasing or hoarding of KI in the United States. Moreover, since there is not a radiation emergency in the United States or its territories, we do not support the ingestion of KI prophylaxis at this time. Our professional societies will continue to monitor potential risks to health from this accident and will issue amended advisories as warranted.

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