Politics & Government

Map Shows Radioactive Plume Heading Toward California

Radiation from Japan is expected to reach the region Friday, and, though levels aren't anticipated to pose a health risk, residents have sought radiation pills.

Trace amounts of radiation from the nuclear disaster in Japan could reach the greater Southern California area by today, according to federal authorities. However, the levels are not considered high enough to pose a health risk to the community.

Still, residents have been calling Loma Linda pharmacists seeking potassium iodide pills as a protective measure.  Several physicians have also more than the usual amount of the pills, said Raylene Mote, Pharm.D Doctor of Pharmacy, the pharmacist in charge at Inland Compounding Pharmacy in Loma Linda.

"People  should talk to their doctor as to whether they should or should not take it if it would be beneficial or possibly harmful to them," Mote said.

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Potassium iodide is usually available by prescription, But most residents seem to be searching for a lower dose iodide called Iodoral.

"I ran out," Mote said. The demand has been that high. "I went to order some this weekend and of course they are all out."

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 There is no need to panic, local emergency coordinators say, because they are in touch with the experts and with FEMA, and the levels of radiation that would reach the United States don’t pose a health threat. If that were to change, said Todd De Voe, the emergency services coordinator for the city of Seal Beach, city governments would have enough notice to take emergency measures, such as evacuation.

Austria’s Federal Ministry for Science and Research has released a map showing radioactive material from the nuclear disaster in Japan as it heads across the Pacific Ocean. According to the United Nations, small amounts of radiation could reach California by Friday.

The U.N. says the plume will lose radioactive force as it travels and may not be detectable when it reaches the Southland. The Air Quality Monitoring District website (www.aqmd.gov) posts daily radiation monitoring in Southern California, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission website (www.nrc.gov) has national updates. (See the AQMD's video in the accompanying gallery, above right, for an interview about the situation with Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County Health Officer.) 

Potassium iodide is a salt—the chemical symbol is KI—similar to table salt. It can be used to protect the human thyroid gland from radioactive iodine.

 “I know there has been a run on them because of what is going on in Japan,” De Voe said. “But the pills should not be taken unless ordered to because the pills are only active for 24 hours. We would recommend people take the pills as they are evacuating. You wouldn’t want to take them and then sit and hang out.”

Because there isn’t a health threat associated with the radiation from Japan, De Voe said he doesn’t anticipate the need for any emergency measures. If there were such a need, measures would range from evacuations to recommending that people, “shelter in place,” by staying inside and turning off their air conditioners and closing their vents, said De Voe; the home should be enough to protect anyone from radiation particles.

Hundreds of Orange County residents concerned about the radiation that could be coming their way have been requesting potassium iodide pills from local pharmacists.  

In Laguna Niguel,  there are two groups that have been purchasing the pills: “those who are concerned there will be some fallout from the Japan nuclear plant” and “others who just want to be prepared and have it in their possession in case it does.”

San Juan Capistrano spokeswoman Kelly Tokarski said the city "has gotten ," for potassium iodide pills. "All they have to do is call the city to get it," she said.

About 100 people have called the city of San Clemente to stock up on the pills in case of emergency, said Jen Tucker, the city's emergency planning officer.

, she said. "It's more than we usually have, but it's not indicative of panic."

The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department emphasizes that use of the potassium iodide (or KI) tablets is currently not recommended and warns that they may be harmful to some. The department says on its website: "KI is not a 'radiation antidote.' and since radiation levels are not expected to be in a harmful range, the risks of taking the medication outweigh the benefits at this time."  The statement goes on to say that residents should "be prepared for emergencies by updating and reviewing their emergency communication plan, and preparing or updating emergency kits for their home, car and work."

It posts an emergency preparedness guide at www.longbeach.gov/health/safety_prep/er_prep.asp."

The California Department of Public Health is taking calls about this situation (in English and Spanish) at (916) 341-3947.


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