LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State and local health officials are monitoring the situation with Japan's damaged nuclear reactors and said they are not recommending taking health countermeasures at this time.
As a result of the recent nuclear power plant concerns in Japan resulting from last week’s earthquake and tsunami, Lake County Health Services has received numerous calls from the public.
Concerned over the potential for released radiation to cause contamination and exposure remotely, callers have specifically contemplated use of oral potassium iodide for its protective effects from radioactive iodine exposure, the agency reported.
However, health officials currently advise against taking these steps.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has stated that, at present, Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.
California Department of Public Health’s radiological health branch has radioactivity monitoring systems in place for the air, water and food supply.
State public health officials reported that they are monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with state and federal partners, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, FEMA Region IX, and the California Emergency Management Agency.
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.
Although California does stockpile emergency supplies, including potassium iodide (KI) tablets in regions around nuclear power plants, they are not recommended at this time, according to the office of Dr. Karen Tait, Lake County's health officer.
She said potassium iodide can pose health risks to certain people, such as those with allergies to iodine, shellfish, or who have thyroid problems. Dosages can vary and should be only taken as advised by a medical professional.
California has a plan for response to radiological emergencies called the Nuclear Emergency Response Plan (http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/environhealth/Documents/NERP/NERP.pdf). Tait reported that Lake County Health Services has public health emergency plans that coordinate with California Department of Public Health and include procedures for the distribution of “medical countermeasures” when needed.
Tait said the decision to use medical countermeasures is one that must balance risk and benefit. “As long as we are reassured that there is no danger from the radiation releases in Japan, we could do more harm than good by taking potassium iodide, especially in people who have risks for adverse effects.”
Lake County Health Services and other local agencies continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed.
For more information about radiation emergencies, visit http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/?s_cid=ccu031411_004.
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