Americans are over-reacting to Japan radiation scare

Yes, I'll admit it. For a few days I was one of the many Americans who are freaking out over the prospect of dangerous nuclear radiation reaching our shores from Japan. I anxiously sought out potassium iodide and ended up ordering some.

But facts are different from fears.

As my wife and I learned more about how much radiation is likely to make it across the Pacific Ocean into Oregon, even in a worst case scenario, we became a lot more relaxed about our personal situation -- though still deeply worried about the people living near the damaged reactors.

Some of the many reassuring articles that are based on science rather than emotion are here, here, here, here, and here. For example:

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."

I realize that in some circles (mainly right-wing and religious), scientists aren't trusted. Why, they consider that human-caused global warming is happening and that evolution is true. Gasp!

To me, the situation is akin to the classic adage about fishing: "The worst day fishing is better than the best day working." I change that to say: "The worst prediction by reputable scientists is better than the best prediction made by anti-science ideologues."

So don't worry about Japan's radiation until there is something to really worry about. And remember: I was blown away by a nuclear bomb when I was a kid, and am still blogging away at sixty-two.

As I said in that post:

Whenever I fret too much about modern environmental degradation, I like to think back to the not-so-good old days of the 1950s when the United States conducted over 150 above ground tests of nuclear weapons.

Most of these were at the  Nevada Test Site. In 1955 my mother, who was divorced, moved with me to Three Rivers, California. Three Rivers is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, on the other side of which lies Nevada.

Nowadays people worry over miniscule bits of contamination in our food, water, and air. Back in the '50s it was no big deal to set off honking large nuclear bombs above ground in the Nevada desert, spewing radioactive material all over the place.

Yes, it's good to be concerned about nuclear radiation.

But we need to keep things in perspective. And right now too many people in the United States are worrying way too much about themselves, and way too little about the Japanese who may actually be in danger.

Comments

[Rain]

I also read the risk of using potassium iodide tablets is not inconsequential. So if people take it when it's not needed, they can end up with allergic reactions or other negative personal results. It would only protect the thyroid at best but could also injure it for some people. One scientist said the biggest problem after Chernoble, other than those right on top of it, was drinking the milk from cows contaminated by it. I would guess that means any food items. So when it gets here in any size-- if it gets here in any size-- we can worry about it then. I grew up downstream from Hanford and they released iodine into the Columbia River. That wasn't so great for those playing in the river and with no clue of the risks. Thank you government.

[Brenda Golden]

I need to tell all of your something. My 19 yr old daughter and I moved to Valencia California in March 2010. Within 6 months my daughter was so sick from the water contamination in Valencia that we moved back to Florida for treatment. The water in LA and Valencia is not fit for drinking. It contains dangerous levels of hexavalent chromium, mercury, lead, arsenic its awful. At first we didn't know what was wrong with my daughter she was so violently ill all the time, then one day we saw a sign posted at Valencia by the mall that stated drinking the water could cause serious health affects. We went back to our apartment and discovered this same sign posted in the gym above water fountain, we then went to various hotels and apartments and this same sign is posted all over town. We contacted the State of California and the scientist there told us NOBODY in the entire state of California should DRINK, or take a SHOWER in CAlifornia water without a top notch water filter and even then it won't remove the Hexavalent Chromium!!!! Suffice to say people in California are delusional if they think the water is safe to bathe in, Cook in or drink! I have the proof if anyone would like the documentation. I even took bottles of the city water with me, when I left California in case I have to sue the state for my daughters doctor bills, which hasn't come to that so far, but as soon as she stopped drinking the water, she got better with treatment.