For those in Japan: Protecting yourself from nuclear radiation. What you can do.
It's been reported that Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor (福島第一原発)in Fukushima Prefecture has seriously malfunctioned. There are credible Japanese government agency sources saying that there are measurable levels of radioactive particles showing up in Tokyo. Whether that's within a safe range or not, I don't know. It may simply be a very small increase in the risk of cancer, as one person asserts, like smoking a cigarette. The U.S. Seventh Fleet has moved its ships and aircraft away from the quake-stricken Japanese nuclear power plant after discovering low-level radioactive contamination.
Japanese television is reporting that at least three residents among 90 tested showed excess exposure to radiation. If you are in Japan, and the situation worsens, there are some things you can do protect yourself from nuclear radiation. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a a useful posting here, if the link won't open for you. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/emerg...
This is the CDC's guide to the use of iodine tablets, which are difficult to find in Japan but they are sold in some stores. Supposedly they are available around many military bases. In Japanese it's ヨウ化カリウム (potassium iodide). The Japanese government is planning to distribute them close to the reactor area.
If you cannot speak or read Japanese, please show the following photo to the pharmacy close to you and try to find something containing iodine. Use the pills with caution, and only if it appears that you are at risk to exposure. You should take them proactively. I'm not an expert on nuclear radiation, so please read the CDC faq on radiation emergencies before ingesting. It is one of the worst times in Japan and it is bringing out the best in people. Even the yakuza are chipping in, with the Sumiyoshi-kai and Inagawa-kai opening their offices as shelters and sending supplies to the reactor site.
Many stores in Japan also sell emergency supply kits (防災キット）which may or may not contain tablets to deal with radiation poisoning. Update: This was just posted in the comments but from my limited knowledge of the problem, it's accurate. "It should also be noted that while flooding your system with iodine will minimize absorption of radioactive iodine – which will otherwise be absorbed into your system, emitting radiation that may kill you – this will not prevent you from absorbing radiation in other ways. The CDC page does mention this, but I think it is very important to emphasize it in case people who do not recall their science classes develop the mistaken belief that as long as they take the pill everything is OK."
There is a link to an amateur geiger counter in Tokyo in Koto-ward available here. It was made by a science geek with a kit so its reliability is questionable but it's better than nothing. The normal levels for radiation in Tokyo should be between 10 to 20cpm according to the poster. I think that is the case. As you can see, it's hovering over 12 cpm at the moment. Due to the rolling black-outs in Tokyo the counter may freeze or be inaccessible at some hours. If anyone knows a link to an official geiger counter in Tokyo please post. Thanks to C.Rowan for the link.
Good luck and our best wishes to every one in Japan from all of us at the JSRC. For making donations please see previous post.
iodine tablets for prevention of radiation poisoning. stocked in some pharmacies in Kanagawa Prefecture.
