Japanese Nuclear Release Not Expected To Reach California
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – At least two nuclear reactors have been badly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, raising fears about the release of harmful radiation, including possibly reaching as far as California.
But the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said even if the Japanese reactors go into full meltdown, no dangerous levels of radiation would be expected to reach the United States.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
UC Davis professor of radiology and radiation oncology Jerrold Bushberg said he agrees with that assessment.
"The large distance and great line of air, being at those levels of radioactivity, (the chance) that would reach the United States would be very, very small and not of any significant health concern," he said.
Bushberg said there's no need for anyone in California to take any precautions against radiation exposure.
But the same cannot be said for northern Japan, where Michael Martin is doing just that and buying potassium iodine.
"My Tokyo friends are on edge about this. I found some tablets online on Amazon and sent the link to my friends and one of them has already ordered packages in bulk," said Martin.
Dr. Bushberg said the iodine keeps your body from absorbing radiation if you are exposed.
Officials in Japan have declared states of emergency at six of the country's 55 reactors.
(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
