Radiation Monitors Continue to Confirm That No Radiation Levels of Concern Have Reached the United States

During a detailed analysis of four west coast RadNet air monitor filters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified trace amounts of radioactive iodine, cesium, and tellurium consistent with the Japanese nuclear incident. These levels are consistent with the levels found by a Department of Energy monitor last week and are to be expected in the coming days.

EPA’s samples were captured by three monitors in California and one in Washington State on Friday, March 18 and sent to EPA scientists for detailed laboratory analysis. The data was reviewed over the weekend and the analysis was completed Monday night. The radiation levels detected on the filters from California and Washington monitors are millions of times below levels of concern.

In addition, last night preliminary monitor results in Hawaii detected minuscule levels of an isotope that is also consistent with the Japanese nuclear incident. This detection varies from background and historical data in Hawaii. This isotope was detected at our fixed monitor in Hawaii, and it is far below any level of concern for human health. The sampling filter from this monitor is being sent to our national radiation lab for further analysis.

In a typical day, Americans receive doses of radiation from natural sources like rocks, bricks and the sun that are about 100,000 times higher than what we have detected coming from Japan. For example, the levels we’re seeing coming from Japan are 100,000 times lower than what you get from taking a roundtrip international flight.
EPA is in the process of conducting detailed filter analyses for fixed monitors located in Oregon.

EPA’s RadNet filter results for San Francisco, Seattle, Riverside and Anaheim, California detected minuscule quantities of iodine isotopes and other radioactive particles that pose no health concern at the detected levels. Below are the results of the detailed filter analysis. All of the radiation levels detected during the detailed filter analysis are millions of times below levels of concern.

All units are in Picocuries per meter cubed.

- Filter results for Anaheim, Calif. found:
Cesium-137: 0.0017
Tellurium-132: 0.012
Iodine-132: 0.0095
Iodine-131: 0.046

- Filter results for Riverside, Calif. found:
Cesium-137: 0.00024
Tellurium-132: 0.0014
Iodine-132: 0.0015
Iodine-131: 0.011
- Filter results for Seattle, Wash. found:
Cesium-137: 0.00045
Tellurium-132: 0.0034
Iodine-132: 0.0029
Iodine-131: 0.013

- Filter results for San Francisco, Calif. found:
Cesium-137: 0.0013
Tellurium-132: 0.0075
Iodine-132: 0.0066
Iodine-131: 0.068

EPA’s RadNet system is designed to protect the public by notifying scientists, in near real time, of elevated levels of radiation so they can determine whether protective action is required. In addition, an analysis of the filters in the monitors can identify even the smallest trace amounts of specific radioactive isotopes.

As part of the federal government’s continuing effort to make our activities and science transparent and available to the public, EPA will continue to keep RadNet data available at: http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/

Health Dept. info line and website on Radiation

The Dept. of Health has set up an information line for people who have questions about the radiation and other issues from the Japan Nuclear accidents.

The Number is 877-290-6767.

There is also a web page where you can find important current information on any monitoring of Oregon's exposure. The webpage is http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/CurrentHazards/Pages/index.aspx

Oregon Health Authority Radiation Information

The Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program and the Radiation Protection Services are closely monitoring information on the radiation release reported in Japan after explosions at a reactor site and subsequent events.

No Health Risk to Oregon According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, given the thousands of miles between Japan and the U.S., there is minimal risk at this time that Oregon and other states will experience any harmful levels of radioactivity.
Since the explosion, there have been no elevated radiation readings detected in Oregon and air sample results remain normal. Oregon Public Health receives hourly reports of atmospheric data and will continue to monitor the situation.

How safety is monitored – air detectors

The Environmental Protection Agency has a network of radiation detectors throughout the country that continuously monitor for the presence of radiation. There are two monitoring stations in Oregon – one in Portland and one in Corvallis. The network is called RadNet. The RADNET program is designed to provide immediate and long‐term information about radiation to protect the public and the environment.

How the monitoring works

The RadNet program monitors atmospheric data as it comes in. Oregon Public Health’s Radiation Protection Services program monitors the air and precipitation coming into Oregon.

The information is updated and recorded hourly. For more information about RADNET visit: http://www.epa.gov/narel/radnet/


For More Information: State Resources

Oregon Health Authority,
Information on Radiation Protection
HOTLINE: 1‐877‐290‐6767

Oregon Public Health Current Hazards:
http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/CurrentHazards/Pages/index.aspx

Radiation Protection Service:
http://public.health.oregon.gov/PHD/OEPH/RPS

Oregon Poison Center:
1‐800‐222‐1222

Federal Resources
RadNet
www.epa.gov/narel/radnet/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Radiation Event Medical Management:
http://remm.nlm.gov/

Health Dept. info line and website on Radiation

The Dept. of Health has set up an information line for people who have questions about the radiation and other issues from the Japan Nuclear accidents. The Number is 877-290-6767.

There is also a web page where you can find important current information on any monitoring of Oregon's exposure. The webpage is http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/CurrentHazards/Pages/index.aspx

Potassium Iodide tablets

Q. Why are potassium iodide tablets used during emergencies involving radiation exposure?
A. Potassium iodide tablets may be recommended to individuals who are at risk for radiation exposure or have been exposed to excessive radiation to block the body’s absorption of radioactive iodine. Using potassium iodide when inappropriate could have potential serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Q. Should I be taking potassium iodide to protect myself?
A. No. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems.
Q. Should I purchase potassium iodide as a precaution?
A. No. Potassium iodide is only appropriate within a very close proximity to a nuclear event. Using potassium iodide when inappropriate could have potential serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

New Website from Public Health

We are pleased to announce that the Oregon Public Health Division has launched its new website. The new website will allow us to better fulfill our key role of sharing health information. You will notice that the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) standards are applied to the websites.

The main Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness page is accessible at: http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness