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Thoughts on radiation from Japan
What are your thoughts on the radiation coming from Japan to the US? (Or elsewhere)
I have been so busy with the kids I wasn't keeping up with all the details of the nuclear reactors in Japan, but I went to the Vitamin Shoppe this morning and while I was checking out, a lady came in asking if they had iodine. The employee said they are sold out and she was at least the 8th person this morning alone to come in asking for it.
I looked a little on the internet.. I guess iodine prevents your thyroid from taking in radiation, but it still ends up in the body. Also articles were suggesting changing eating habits and not eating foods from the Western US (milk, veggies, etc). Esp how places in Europe after Chernobyl had impacts from irradiated cheese etc.
It seems overwhelming to think about.. since we don't know how bad the radiation will be, but it is yet another pollutant to worry about. I'm not panicking, but something I will have to more fully educate myself on.
Re: Thoughts on radiation from Japan
Thank you for finally bringing this issue to the greenies for discussion. I'm anxious to hear everyone's thoughts.
It's not a worry to my personal safety at this time (there's a knowledgeable nestie on P&CE that's been providing really good information). But I am totally distraught for those people in Japan who are going to have to deal with this aftermath for a very long time.
It makes me wonder how close anyone in the world is to globalizing renewable enegery grids. One day will we be able to rely on hydro / solar / wind power alone??
It has been a few years since I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and read a lot about it but from what I remember, you take iodine after being exposed to radiation. You don't just take it for the hell of it when you think there may be a possibility. I hope they're doing it under the guidance of a doctor. Also, it's sad that they're panicking about radiation when there are so many things we're exposed to on a daily basis that can cause thyroid problems. I wonder if they're taking precautions against those things. (I'm referring to the people here, not the people in Japan.)
As for the renewable energy, it needs to happen but is it possible? After something like this, you would hope people realize how important the issue is. But there are so many greedy people/corporations and so many politicians interested in keeping them happy. I can't imagine how there can be meaningful change, at least in the U.S. What about other countries? Europe seems pretty progressive on social and environmental issues so maybe they'll be the leaders? I really hope we see it in our lifetimes but I don't know if it's realistic. I'm obviously in a very pessimistic and cynical mood today.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Yes, this was in NY. Can you imagine? 8 people within a few hours of the store opening? I had heard about the west coast, so it came as a shock that the stores were bought out. The woman immediately started asking if the employee knew where a GNC or other vitamin store was in the area.
I did read an article (I didn't bookmark it, so I have no idea how to look it up again besides the bazillion pages in my browser history) - but the article talked about like 'best food to eat' to help your body when exposed. I think it included miso soup, seaweed (iodine of course), maybe brown rice or something.. I think folic acid too.. if I have the patience to dig through my history I will post the link..
I read some articles about amounts of radiation, like how much we are exposed to naturally, from an xray, versus the meltdown. It was interesting. Again, all just about educating myself (not freaking out).
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There hasn't been a nuclear fallout. These people sound like idiots. And LOL to the "like Chernobyl."
I think some people need to get some more education on exactly what is going on in Japan.
There is a girl on the PC&E board who knows a ton about what is happening and so far everything she has said has matched up with the news. If people have questions, they might want to ask over there.
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I don't want you to think I was making fun of you, because I wasn't. I don't want anyone to buy into hysteria--and I'm not saying you were--but you obviously saw it first hand! I just wanted to help guide to a knowledgeable source--right here on our own boards...
No prob.. I was just clarifying in case people thought I was in some sort of panic!
The lady looking for the iodine did seem a little stressed out though :P
Nest Bio ~ ~ Baby Food Blog
This. The half-lives of most iodine isotopes are extremely short. Those of Cs, another isotope in spent fuel, are longer: on the order of 20-30 years.
I attended a 2-hr lecture this evening with three experts in nuclear, plasma, and radiological engineering. Provided the flow of cooling water can be maintained to the reactor cores, the situation is manageable. At this stage, the incident should be likened more to Three Mile Island than Chernobyl. Since the reactor is a completely different configuration than the one at Chernobyl, release of gaseous radioactive species into the air isn't even a realistic failure mechanism.
Exposure is measured in rems or sieverts. Here's an example of a dose chart w/ routine exposure you may receive yourself due to geographic location, medical procedures, etc.
http://www.new.ans.org/pi/resources/dosechart/
I believe 5000 mrem/year (max allowable nuclear worker dose) is the dose above which incidence of cancer is proven to increase.