The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Daily Data Summary continues to say that the “EPA’s RadNet radiation air monitors across the U.S. show typical fluctuations in background radiation levels. The levels detected are far below levels of concern”; also mentioning that, “as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has said, we do not expect to see radiation at harmful levels reaching the U.S.… Read the rest
Category Archives: Public health
Meatless Mondays — Can You Handle It?
I love meat. Looooove it. I would never consider going full vegan. At least, I’ve always said that, until…
…until a couple weeks ago when I was in Carrefour’s meat section, doing my usual food shopping. For some strange reason, I kept staring at this messy pile of plucked chickens, with small tufts of hair still sticking out here and there.… Read the rest
Table Salt Can Kill You: New Warnings From WHO
People are still talking about taking iodized table salt as an effective anti-radiation antidote, but yesterday the World Health Organization specifically warned everyone outside of Japan against self-medicating at this time with any iodine-containing substance as protection from radiation exposure. As I was saying yesterday, people would need dozens of tablespoons of salt each day to reach the proper and proven dose of potassium iodide.… Read the rest
Table Salt Instead of Potassium Iodide for Radiation Protection? No Way
I’m starting today to hear about a buying spree for table salt, as some people are hearing that table salt, which has added iodine, is a “healthier” way than potassium iodide pills to counter radiation exposure. Does this make sense? Actually, no, it doesn’t — in order to get the equivalent 130mg dose of potassium iodide that is usually recommended for adults during a radiation crisis, a person would have to eat 250 tablespoons of iodized table salt each day.… Read the rest
An "Official" Radiation Forecast From the U.N.
After days of waiting, we now have an “official” forecast of the Japanese radiation plume’s pathway; the UN’s Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization on Tuesday created a forecast of the plume’s pathway which was obtained by the New York Times and just published.… Read the rest
Radiation Emergencies: What Should You Do?
We’re facing a lot of questions and uncertainties about Japan’s radiation and its potential to cross the Pacific into America. So, I think it’s a good time to review the facts about radiation and potential emergencies. The U.S. CDC has an FAQ page about Radiation Emergencies which I think is a good start to read: I’ve cut and pasted the entire document here to make it more convenient for readers:
… Read the rest