Note: The following advisory issued by Santa Clara University was brought to my attention by a colleague whose child attends there. With slight modification, I reproduce it here.
Undoubtedly many of you have been following the ongoing events in Japan following the severe earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor emergency. Some of you have expressed concerns about the potential risk of radiation reaching California, so I wanted to share with you the latest information from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on this matter.
According to Federal, State and local regulatory agencies, there is no current risk of radiation reaching California.
Concerns have been raised about windblown radiation making it to California. State and federal experts and authorities agree - there is currently no danger to California residents from Japan's nuclear emergency. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is closely monitoring the situation and working with other State and Federal authorities. State and Federal agencies conduct weekly air tests at 10 sites around California. These and other tests are used to determine if any unusual increases in radiation have occurred. CDPH is currently looking at the timing and frequency of their testing as the situationin Japan continues.
According to State and Federal authorities, there has not been a major release of radiation into the atmosphere due to the problems with the
nuclear reactors in Japan. The current level of radiation being released, while above what is normally accepted, is a threat to only the people in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear power plant in Japan.
The county public health departments are in contact with the State, and the State will let them know if the situation changes. If that were to happen, we will be notified immediately about any precautionary measures that should be taken.
Since there is no present danger to the California residents there is no need for anyone to take potassium iodide. Remember, taking potassium iodide may be harmful for some people, particularly those with a thyroid disease and those who are allergic to it. If you have a seafood or shellfish allergy - it can mean that you are allergic to potassium iodide. Also, many people may have an undiagnosed condition and taking potassium iodide tablets may cause them health problems.
So please remember, there is currently no risk of windblown nuclear radiation for California, a number of Federal and State agencies areclosely monitoring the situation and will let our local Public Health Department know if there are any increased levels of radiation, and potassium iodide tablets are not needed and not recommended.
You can stay informed by going to the California Department of Public Health website at www.cdph.ca.gov or you can call the CDPH public information hotline at 1-916-341-3947 if you need additional information.