By MEG JORDAN, chair of the Integrative Health Studies program, and NEIL FREESE, online content editor
As containment efforts are hampered by an array of setbacks and malfunctions, the fate of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was critically damaged during last week’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, has become increasingly uncertain.
While the potential for a full-scale meltdown at one or more of the power plant’s six nuclear reactors remains, it’s important to remember that catastrophe is not a foregone conclusion. We should remain calm as the situation unfolds and be wary of misinformation.
Nevertheless, should a worst-case scenario become reality, it’s possible that nuclear fallout could affect California. There are no failsafe ways to protect yourself from excessive radiation, but you should consider stocking potassium iodide capsules or scored tablets in your medicine cabinet.
A little background: During a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine can be released into the air. Radioactive iodine can enter your body through ingestion or inhalation, and is absorbed by the thyroid gland.
Potassium iodide is a supplement that, as mentioned above, can be taken as a capsule or tablet. Potassium iodide blocks the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid. Potassium iodide supplements do not, however, prevent radioactive atoms from entering your body.
You should only take the potassium iodide supplement if the health department issues a warning that radioactive exposure is imminent. The recommended dose is one 130 mg tablet per day. We've just checked with Vitamin Shoppe and three other retailers, and not surprisingly, there are sold out. There are still some reliable online stores. We recommend Life Extension.
RESOURCES:
Learn about radiation protection, and specifically about radioactive iodine, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency >>
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s emergency preparedness and response wesbite has a lot of useful information on potassium iodide >>
Protecting yourself in a nuclear emergency with potassium iodide >>
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Posted by: hasikam | March 27, 2011 at 06:29 AM
I live in Oregon where this is definitely an issue. Thank you so much for the detailed info and the link. We'll probably need it at some point in the future. Emergencies and disasters are by no means over!
Posted by: Virgil Stanphill | March 28, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Iam amazed that people are going out to buy potassium idodine in America yet there are farmers in the exclusion zone in Japan still farming their land!
Posted by: Carole Book | March 29, 2011 at 06:19 AM
Very good info.. I agree with we should remain calm as the situation unfolds and be wary of misinformation, it is the best approach.
Posted by: Clasificados | March 30, 2011 at 02:48 AM
It is definitely right to wait for official warnings and advice from reliable departments regarding the nuclear situation in Japan and knowing the right dosage for each intake and fully aware of its side effects is very essential.
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