Link: Frequently Asked Questions About Iodine-131 Found in Surface Water
On March 22, 2011, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that extremely low radioactive levels were found in Riverside. There are no significant health threats posed by the trace amounts of radioactive elements detected.
The radiation detected on the filters from California is "hundreds of thousands to millions of times below levels of concern," according to the EPA. Further, Americans receive doses of radiation from natural sources like rocks, bricks and the sun that are about 100,000 times higher than what has been detected on the West Coast.
Dr. Eric Frykman, County Public Health Officer, continues to recommend Riverside County residents do not take potassium iodide (KI) as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary given the current circumstances, and it can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems. If KI is taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects.
Riverside County and other local, state and federal agencies nationwide are continuing to monitor systems that detect changes in radiation levels. If the situation changes significantly enough to warrant changes in the recommendations from Public Health, information will be distributed through CAHAN and other established mechanisms.
For more information on the health effects from radiation (including fact sheets and frequently asked questions), visit the California Department of Public Health website at www.cdph.ca.gov or the Riverside County Public Health website at www.rivcophepr.org.
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At 10:46 p.m. (PST) on March 10, 2011, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck near the coast of Honshu, Japan. In wake of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, local authorities confirmed damage to two Japanese nuclear reactors, resulting in evacuations around the facilities and fears of a potential radioactive materials release one or both of the facilities.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has established a public information response line within the Joint Emergency Operations Center at
(916) 341-3947 to answer questions about the impact to public health in California. The information line is staffed from 8 AM to 5 PM daily.
- According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Japan's nuclear emergency presents no danger to California. CDPH is monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with our state and federal partners, including NRC, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, FEMA Region IX, and the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA).
- California has a plan of response for radiological emergencies if one were to arise. Plans include the Nuclear Radiological Emergency Program and the National Response Framework.
Q&A
Q. What's the risk for California from the current nuclear power emergency in Japan?
A. At present, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says Japan's nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.
Q. What are you doing to assess the risk?
A. CDPH is monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with our State and federal partners.
Q. What resources does California have to tell if radiation is present in the environment?
A. CDPH has a radiological branch and routinely tests air, water and the food supply.
Q. Does California have a plan in place to respond to a radiological emergency?
A. CDPH has a plan for response to radiological emergencies, called the Nuclear Emergency Response Plan.
Q. Does California stockpile supplies for such an emergency?
A. California does stockpile emergency supplies, including potassium iodide (KI) tablets, in the area around the southern nuclear power plant.
Potassium iodide tablets are useful in blocking some types of radiation in the thyroid. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems. Potassium iodide tablets should not be taken until/unless directed by authorities.
Q. Should I be taking Potassium Iodide (KI) to protect myself?
A. No. Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems. Dosages can vary and should only be taken as advised by a medical professional.
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