nuclear-news

Today I would like to describe a current situation on the US West coast due to Japanese nuclear disaster, go over the possible dangers and provide recommendation how to minimize exposure to the radioactive particles.

I received many questions and would like to address them in my presentation

Can the radiation reach the US West coast?

The answer is yes; the air masses during this season are going at high speed across the Pacific, however most heavy elements such as plutonium and strontium will be deposited near the station (as it happened during Chernobyl disaster back in 1986)

In my opinion we should expect to detect cesium 137- and possible iodine-131 isotopes

Do we need to take KI tablets?

The KI can protect against high doses of radioactive iodine capable of “melting or dissolving” thyroid tissue; it will not protect against small doses of I-131 acquired over long term period

The good analogy: the KI pill is similar to gas mask that you cannot wear for more than few hours.

How accurate are the reading of radiation monitors deployed by Rad Net?

Many hand held and direct read-out units are not very accurate. Getting the accurate meaningful reading may take days or weeks so we should not wait for data and proceed with caution. In addition the radiation monitors are reading Gamma radiation which is not enough (most dangerous substances are beta and alpha emitters)

A good idea to deploy radiation monitors attached to air balloons; they could be released from ships in Pacific Ocean to study dilution of radioactive plumes and to predict their concentration

What protective measures would be the best for California residents?

If Cesium-137 contamination is expected we should control the dust; should avoid dust generating activities and hose the areas rather than using dust blowers.

Try to avoid eating outdoors and cover your food stuff. Do not hide under trees during rain; use umbrellas

No offence intended, but woman should avoid wearing heavy makeup and greasy lipsticks as this normally attracts the (radioactive) dust. Long hair must be covered by hat, cap or scarf and  washed more often.

The children should limit outdoor activities for few days until reliable data is collected.

Please refrain from jogging and marathon runs the coming weekend. Back in 1986 many residents of Kiev went to May 1 demonstration and stayed to watch the bike race. Some people after that reported unusual sunburn-like conditions on their faces and exposed parts of the body.

Remember: dust control is fight against radioactive (particles)

How about the I-131?

I-131 is a chemical substance that is emitting beta and gamma particles. Again, it has smell taste and chemical properties similar to (the) stable iodine. So the high concentration of I-131 will cause metallic test at the back of your mouth. Those of you who had CT scan with non-ionic iodine contrast (Like I did) can recognize such taste very well.

The non-ionic (neutral) iodine has poor solubility in water, but good solubility in milk and organic solvents, therefore milk will most likely (from Chernobyl experience), will contain much higher concentration of I-131. After Chernobyl milk was converted to cheese, which happens to contain less radioactive elements compared to raw milk.

Due to the poor solubility in water I-131 particles could be filtered out by activated carbon; the iodine molecules are larger than chlorine molecules that are trapped by household water cleaning system, so even cheap on-faucet activated carbon filter should do the work. 

The radioactive iodine concentrates in thyroid, breast and ovarian tissue. In general people with inflamed thyroid will collect the least amount (of I-131) while people with Grave’s disease or toxic nodules will concentrate highest amounts.  This risk is increasing with young age (ages from 0 to 12 at the time of exposure are considered high risk)

In the air, the highest concentration of I-131 will be observed when the rain water dries from the soil, about 3 feet above the ground. This is why the small kids should stay indoors for at least one hour after rain.

If you are have to do the work that generates dust, wear the dust mask and keep others from entering the area.

I will be follow the situation development and will keep you updated!