US

Nuke Fallout Reaches US…and Radiation Levels Are a ‘Billion Times’ Below ‘Health Threatening’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The first radioactive fallout from Japan’s crippled nuclear plant reached Southern California early Friday, but the readings indicate levels far below a level that could endanger people, according to a diplomat.

The ambassador, who has access to United Nations radiation tracking of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, cited data from a California-based measuring station of the CTBTO.

Initial readings are “about a billion times beneath levels that would be health threatening,” the diplomat told The Associated Press. He asked for anonymity because the CTBO does not make its findings public.

U.S. government experts also insist there’s no threat to public health from the plume.

Nuke Fallout Reaches US...and Radiation Levels Are a Billion Times Below Health Threatening

“Radiation is one of those words that get everybody scared, like `plague,’” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of public health for Los Angeles County. “But we’re 5,000 miles away.”

The amount of any fallout that wafts across the Pacific Ocean to the U.S. coast will be so diluted that it will not pose any health risk, officials say. Wind, rain and salt spray will help clean the air over the vast ocean between Japan and the United States.

Nuclear experts say the main elements released are radioactive cesium and iodine. They can combine with the salt in sea water to become cesium chloride and sodium iodide, which are common and abundant elements and would readily dilute in the wide expanse of the Pacific, according to Steven Reese, director of the Radiation Center at Oregon State.

“It is certainly not a threat in terms of human health” added William H. Miller, a professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Missouri.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deployed extra radiation detectors throughout the country to allay public concerns. On Thursday, President Barack Obama said “harmful levels” of radiation from the damaged Japanese nuclear plant are not expected to reach the U.S.

The radiation stations will send real time data via satellite to EPA officials, who will make the data available to the public online. The monitors also contain two types of air filters that detect any radioactive particles and are mailed to EPA’s data center in Alabama.

That information, as well as samples that numerous federal agencies are collecting on the ground and in the air in Japan, also will be sent to the Department of Energy’s atmospheric radioactivity monitoring center in California, where teams are creating sophisticated computer models to predict how radioactive releases at Fukushima could spread into the atmosphere.

Inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory near San Francisco, scientists, engineers, and meteorological experts were analyzing those charts and maps to help policymakers predict where radioactive isotopes could travel.

“The models show what happens if the situation gets worse, if the winds change, or if it rains to predict what could happen,” National Nuclear Security Administration spokesman Damien LaVera said. “The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has said they see no radiation at harmful levels reaching the United States, and we’re not seeing anything that is inconsistent with that.”

An arm of the United Nations earlier this week made a forecast of the possible trajectory of the radioactive fallout from Japan. The forecast only showed how it might move, but does not have information about radiation levels.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is monitoring radiation levels at its three stations every hour and planned to post daily updates on its website.

In the unlikely event that the situation escalates, the California Emergency Management Agency would coordinate emergency response efforts with state public health officials and local officials.

“Worst-case scenario, there is no threat to public health in California,” said the agency’s acting secretary, Mike Dayton.

The California Department of Public Health, which set up a hotline for concerned residents, also has its own network of eight monitors sampling the air, water, and soil for harmful substances, including radiation, said agency spokesman Ron Owens.

Farther north, in Alaska, people also have been asking where they can buy potassium iodide pills. Greg Wilkinson, a spokesman for the state Department of Health and Social Services, said the state doesn’t monitor or track private inventories, but he also said it has seen no indication that potassium iodide will need to be taken by Alaskans in response to events in Japan.

Health officials throughout the western U.S. have said there’s no need to take them.

Associated Press writer George Jahn contributed to this report from Vienna.

Comments (67)

  • outpost13
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 6:57pm

    And we should believe our goverment because, they would never lie to the People.

    Report Post »  
  • Its Gonna Getcha
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:45pm

    Home improvement, or property shows, are proud to point out a kitchen with granite countertops. Granite gives off radon (radiation). What a great material to prepare food on, right?

    Report Post » Its Gonna Getcha  
  • prb65
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:46pm

    At this point I would worry more about mercury light bulbs.

    Report Post »  
  • bruce_baker
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:34pm

    To all those who would respond to the recent nuclear crisis in Japan by killing all present and future nuclear operations:
    If any of you have ever suffered from headache, I have a solution.
    Obtain access to a guillotine. Then “Look through the little window and be cured of headaches forever!”
    Since the Man Made Global Warming crowd is making it impossible to get our energy from coal and oil, any you’re ready to kill nuclear power, then we’re left with wind and solar.
    We get about 1.8% of our current energy needs from renewables, the only answer will be rationing. When your power is only on for a half an hour a day, enjoy shivering in the dark!

    Report Post » bruce_baker  
  • lbk
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:01pm

    Why is it everytime I hear the Government tell me I have nothing toworry about, I “freakin worry” !!!

    Report Post »  
  • jeffile
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:22pm

    Gee, I guess they used safer nuclear material when we did all those above ground testing in the 50s. Then again, perhaps most of the posters aren’t old enough to remember the numerous above ground detonation of nuclear bombs along with the accompanying downwind fallout. I’m sorry but the overblown concerns of danger for Americans is akin to concern of being hit by the single can of beans which falls of a store shelf during an earthquake. Admittedly I know very little concerning radiation hazards but this media created frenzy seems completely out of proportion to any actual danger.

    Report Post »  
  • Oathkeeper1775
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:46pm

    This is yet another classsic example of how the government is conditioning people to do what they want. To any young person or anyone else out there that is still forming an opinion of what the measure of success (being a good person) is, please look:

    When you see pictures or videos of people standing in long lines waiting for bread, water, shelter, assistance of any kind, you are seeing images of what the government wants. They want control over who gets what. They want people to depend on them, it is how they feed on us. They don’t love you.

    There are countless examples of how self sufficient people are left out in the litanies good people lists and examples. There are even more examples of how self sufficient people are infact demonized by those that earn their living off of the literal and social “breadlines”.

    Take your brain, the brains that God gave us all, process the information and decide for yourselves. Survive, there is nothing wrong with a person taking care of him or herself first, then helping others.

    Think of the oxygen mask briefing you get when flying: “Put your mask on first, then help others”.
    Or, go New Testiment, (help me do this right Lord…..) “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach him how to fish, feed him for life”

    In the end, we all do what we want; if you like a collar around your neck (either litterally or metaphorically) depend on the government, if you wish to be free (no metaphorically) then decide for yourselves what is good for you.

    Those that strive to be self sufficient, want others to do the same. We ask nothing else of you.

    Report Post » Oathkeeper1775  
  • lawkendel
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:45pm

    There is little to no readily available information on NON-GOVERNMENTAL radiation detection (every online search I try sends me to manufacturers of detectors). I’ve tried different phrasings and there seems to be a defacto blackout on that kind of information. QUESTION THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPAGANDA!

    Report Post »  
  • Wilma
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:24pm

    Most of these comments are straw man arguments. The media has been reporting on radiation leaks not nuclear explosions. It is a FACT that radiation levels are well above normal in Japan and the situation is still NOT under control. A radiation cloud IS moving across the Pacific. It is predicted to disperse and be harmless. That is what I have learned from the media. Ignore it at your own peril. Having iodine pills on hand as a precaution is no different from buying gold or stocking up on food.

    Better safe than sorry. Isn’t that what Glenn preaches? Which little pig are you?

    Report Post » Wilma  
    • waresite
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:43pm

      Here you go Wilma, something to educate yourself with other than overhyped fear mongering; http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/cancercenter/prevention/preventionradiation.html

      Report Post » waresite  
    • waresite
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:47pm

      And actually I think Glenn “preaches” something about Education, you know that whole E4 thing rather than just “better safe than sorry”

      Report Post » waresite  
    • waresite
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:57pm

      And yet more education; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576198421680697248.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop

      Report Post » waresite  
    • Navyveteran
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:29pm

      Wilma the Japaneese need to worry more about disease from the decaying bodies laying around more than radiation. Again the radiation in a powerplant is far less then weapons grade radiation! Not one scientist or doctor can find any adverse reactions or disease from the Three Mile incident in PA that is a fact. Stop worrying over nothing, if you want to worry about radiation worry about the terrorist free ride over the borders with dirty bombs. Or the wack job in Iran getting nuclear weapons. Sheesh

      Report Post »  
    • Wilma
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:30am

      @Waresite The link you referenced does address irregular levels of radiation from uncommon occurrences such as the malfunction of a nuclear reactor. Do some more research and get back to me.

      BTW, Japanese, Tap water, milk, and produce grown in the area around Fukushimah ave tested positive for radiation. Sales of these items have been banned in Japan. Still consider it hype?

      Report Post » Wilma  
    • Wilma
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 11:24am

      I am surprised by those who suggest there is no health risk from prolonged exposure to irregular levels of radiation because this event is not as catastrophic as Chernobyl. First, no one has suggested this is another Chernobyl. Nor has anyone suggested a nuclear explosion is imminent. Second, much has happened at Fukushima since March 14th, when the WSJ article you reference was written.

      BTW, Glenn has been pushing food storage (be prepared) far longer than E4. Did you miss the show on the Three Little Pigs? I am disappointed with Glenn’s rush to judgement on Fukushima. Earlier this week it was clear he was unaware the spent fuel rods that were on fire were not contained. This detail negates his argument that a leak is not possible because the rods are all contained. But that didn’t stop him from doubling down on his initial remarks. He has since remained silent on the subject of media hype and Fukushima. Perhaps he later realized his mistake and consequent rush to judgement.

      Report Post » Wilma  
  • LadyLibertea
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:16pm

    It isn’t just California people, I live in Oregon, and it’s like nothing is happening…..and maybe this won’t be so bad, but what if it IS? I guess I just have to be smart and assume that “they” will only look out for themselves, and by the time they “Choose” to pretend they are looking out for everybody else that it’ll be too late. I was in Portlandia yesterday, and I have to say that the attitude of the city was, “don’t be silly…nothing is happening…Obama would tell us if it was” Typical. Now…if the plume only took out the zombie liberals from Portlandia…….just kidding….well…not really.

    Report Post »  
  • Navyveteran
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:12pm

    I don’t know why everyone is worrying. The situation in Japan is nothing like Chernobyl, Chernobyl was much worse and the Soviets had no safety measures in that plant like the Japaneese have. No harm was done here after Chernobyl. Just like no harm to US will happen from Japan. No harm to US citizens when we exploded two nuclear bombs in Japan. Not to mention the many testing of nuclear weapons in our own deserts under ground.

    Scare tactics from the progressive news why I don’t know why but there is a reason why the scare is on. There is a big difference in grade and strength of uranium or other radioactive material used in power plants of weapon grade radioactive material. Maybe the left is using this to scare us to get rid of all nuclear plants here in the US since the hippies were unable to stop all building of nuclear power plants.

    Report Post »  
  • Cherynn
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:08pm

    This is tragic, no one is going to die. What will we do? Wheres Jessie??

    Report Post » Cherynn  
  • drattastic
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:53pm

    I wouldn’t take any chances ,all 5 of you conservatives in California rent a van and get out now ,we can’t afford to lose you .As for the rest of you there is no radiation threat get comfortable enjoy the weather,spend lots of time outside down by the beach.

    Report Post » drattastic  
  • fishstx777
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:15pm

    I can see the scenario obama on the phone with leaders of japan .mr president can you send me some of youre nuke Scientest or any help in anyway.Obamas response before I can answer that question I got a question for you,what club would you use 180 yards out into the wind.thanks call you back after the shot.

    Report Post »  
  • Steven63
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:11am

    You should all understand that the radiation reaching our shores now was what was released at the initial stages of the crises: when the nuclear plants first began having problems. The radiation from when the containment facilities blew up is still to come. Who knows how bad that will be, if at all. I’m just simply pointing out that this initial phase would be light compared to what could be coming next week.

    Report Post »  
    • waresite
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:32pm

      the “explosions” were hydrogen explosions, not nuclear. You wouold recieve more radiation from a transcontinental plane flight than you will ever recieve from the incident in Japan.

      Report Post » waresite  
    • waresite
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:51pm

      Here’s something to educate your self with. Pay particular attention to the tables at the bottom of the link. http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/cancercenter/prevention/preventionradiation.html

      Report Post » waresite  
    • Wilma
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 11:30am

      @Waresite, the tables you reference do not provide data for radiation released due to a breach of containment units or exposure of fuel rods not contained. They simply address radiation levels normally found in the environment. Radiation levels in Japan are irregular and that is not hype.

      Report Post » Wilma  
  • texasfarmer
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:04am

    That’s why Obummer is going to Rio.
    What a bunch of bed wetters.

    Report Post » texasfarmer  
  • Will NV
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:56am

    So now all any “terr orist” has to do is damage the cooling system of our nuke plants.
    Thanks MSM for the coverage and hype.

    Report Post »  
  • quarter horseman
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:42am

    Sorry to say there is no better place for this to hit than the republicofcalifornia. Comment not intended for the right wing, conservitive tea party folks in cali.

    Report Post » quarter horseman  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:00pm

      What Happens in California, Does not Stay in California. All weather travels east

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:37am

    When Jay Carney was asked if Obama was still going to Rio he said: ” It bears repeating that this is a crisis, there is no question about it, and it is a crisis in Japan. It is not a crisis in the United States.”
    Now what Jay?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Sinista MACE
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:33am

    Fact of the matter is, we will all be bathed in radioactive fallout over the forseeable future.

    The mainstream media and government officials have been lying and downplaying the severity of this incident from the very beginning.

    Pharmacists have even been advised by CDC officials not to give prescriptions for KI (potassium iodide), even though it is available OTC.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:33am

    California gets radiated…poetic justice.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • felina g
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:48am

      Do not wish it.

      Report Post »  
    • ginsberg
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:47pm

      How is that justice? You know it is a sad day when people are so brainwashed that they actually wish harm on others because of political differences. all the hatred conservatives spew about san francisco and california really shows that there are a lot of fake christians and pro lifers out there. Jesus said love your enemy, but I guess the bible is just something to hide behind and be used for political gain. When the chips are down I would trust a humanist over one of you faux christians like beck every time. Pray tell…which states are good enough to wish good health upon?

      Report Post »  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:31am

    The U.S. Surgeon General should not only lose her job, but allow herself to be flogged with Iodine pills.

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • GEW
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:14am

      now you made me laugh. I agree.

      Report Post » GEW  
    • Bigliardi
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:50pm

      I can’t believe that the media is still screaming “the sky is falling” about the absolutely miniscule amounts of radiation that has been released in Japan…They are all about ratings, scaring the public, and letting everyone know that they know what is best for us…

      Report Post »  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:28am

    invest in iodine futures…

    Report Post »  
  • bhelmet
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:27am

    Don’t let the truth get in the way of a perfectly good crisis.

    Report Post » bhelmet  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:02am

      Truths are just obstacles in the eyes of the New Democrat Communist Party

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • powhatan
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:24am

    We survived the Chernobyl Plume…We’ll be fine with this as well.

    Report Post » powhatan  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:32am

      Powhatan, we also survived Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Now that wasn’t very nice of me…

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • Gold Coin & Economic News
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:34am

      I’m sure the US will be fine from any nuclear fallout, I just wouldn’t want to be in Japan right now. With the limited supply of food, fuel and with the looming specter of disease and their nuclear problems, I would be getting the heck out.

      Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:35am

      Not a big deal. Getting an x-ray would expose you to more radiation.
      http://guerillatics.com

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:36am

      I am glad the extra detectors were put out….for the press– the allay their fears.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:47am

      Socialist psychological warfare continues…

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • felina g
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:47am

      HAARP ? I have no idea……but………..

      http://whiteknightsreport.blogspot.com/

      Keep your eye on the Madrid Fault with 15 of our nuclear reactors are lined up there.

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:48am

      to allay their fears

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:01am

      felina g, you’re absolutely right. The New Madrid fault is the nearly unknown danger in the middle of the U.S. Saint Louis, with all their unreinforced masonry buildings, would be especially hard-hit. A quake large enough on the MMS could even be felt in Dallas. In fact, it is believed it was the 1812 New Madrid Earthquake which formed the only natural lake in Texas, Caddo Lake on the Texas, Louisiana state line.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:15am

      someone should tell chicken little.i think chicken little has been cloned because he is out on all mainstream medai reporting that the sky is falling

      Report Post »  
    • watchmany2k
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:48am

      I disagree totally.
      Radioactive isotopes do NOT “dilute”
      They transmutate into lower energy elements, or combine like the article said with other elements to create new stable non radiating molecules. The speck of Caesium-137 that makes it here, is just as radioactive as it was when ejected from the pressure containment.

      Caesium-137 has a HALF life of 30 years, that means for a given VOLUME of it, HALF of that volume will have emitted it’s energy enough to decay/transmutate into a lower energy element.

      It is science folks. they are blowing smoke up your butt, in order to keep the calm.
      It is delibrate misinformation, because they are “smarter” than you.

      That said.
      The ODDS that that speck travels the miles between Japan and the US, and
      ends up on your nostril hair, your jacket, breathed in or deposits on the ground and is
      uptake into the vegetable you later buy and consume, those odds may be slim.
      But they are NOT zero, if they are DETECTING it at all over here.

      Yep the majority of us will be fine, but some poor unfortunate will come down with an
      unexplained cancer in the coming years.

      I will be growing my own food this year, rather than buying California vegetables.
      That particle could still make it here to the east coast, but odds are less of them than
      the west coast.

      Still driving the car to work is more dangerous than the threat from radiation (so far).
      If the reactors continue to cool, they will have passed a MAJOR milestone.

      KNOWLEDGE is POWER

      Report Post » watchmany2k  
    • watchmany2k
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 12:11pm

      Further, what they are looking at is concentration.
      IE: In Japan near the reactors lets say there is a pile of caesium-137
      The radiation they emit (gamma rays the equivalent of x-rays, {sort of})TOGETHER
      combine to equate your exposure in terms of seiverts/rems per hour/minutes (or any other scale of measurement)

      After ejecting from the pressure container, the majority will fallout in the zone(S) they have defined around the reactors. What gets transported on the wind disperses in a wider area, that is the dilution they are talking about. parts per million or billion in air. so while it is no longer a “pile” of radiactive material and therefore less of a concentration of radioactive emmissions, the individual particle does in fact still emit, and that exposure can be said to be the equivalent of an chest-xray, providing you do not inhale or ingest it.

      It DOES contribute to the overall background radiation we are all exposed to.
      It is not harm-less, but is less of a threat than standing next to the reactor.
      Again, the odds of inhaling or ingesting a minute particle are slim, but they are NOT zero.

      It would be NICE, if the US released some NUMBERS of their measurments.
      I wonder WHY they are not, instead we get OPINION from “nuclear experts”

      Report Post » watchmany2k  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:00pm

      When I heard this I figured it would be California that found it.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • hickoryrat
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:58pm

      Its not here yet,just the tip.
      The radiation from the reactors that exploded Sat-Sun- Mon is still on its way.
      Check latest from Japan admitting coverup

      Report Post »  
    • prb65
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:23pm

      The mercury light bulbs our government is forcing us to use is much more harnful than the radiation coming ashore.

      Report Post »  
    • Deb C
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:03pm

      Radiation is cumulative

      Report Post » Deb C  

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