Radiation Found In Massachusetts Rainwater

 Massachusetts State Flag

Small amounts of radiation have been found in rainwater in the United States as far east as Massachusetts. The measured levels of radioactive iodine 131 are considered harmless.

An article titled “Radiation In Massachusetts Rainwater Likely From Japan” by the Associated Press March 27, 2011 and published in the Huffington Post details the issue. The measured amounts of radiation found in rainwater across the country are at very low levels and not a threat to human health or drinking water.

What the discovery of radioactive iodine in rainwater falling in the United States tells us is how widespread the distribution of radiation can be once it is in the environment. It is 6,551 miles between the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan and Boston, Massachusetts.

What this also allows others to understand is the uproar taking place in Germany where massive protests against the continued use of nuclear power have been taking place. Germany was in the path of nuclear material that spread across the country when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in the Ukraine region of the former Soviet Union.

There is no reason to panic, but this is food for thought.

Radioactive Iodine Levels In Tokyo, Japan Water Supply Not Safe For Babies

Tap Water

Tokyo, Japan is the world’s most populous metropolitan area with over 12 million people in the metropolis of Tokyo. Tokyo is called a metropolis instead of a prefecture. The metropolis includes the wards formerly known as the city of Tokyo.

The distance from Fukushima Dai-ichi where the damaged nuclear power plant is located to Tokyo is 242 kilometers, approximately 150 miles, should send a message of how far this radioactive material travels. Obviously the question that must be asked is if and how much additional radioactive iodine is still entering the drinking water supply. An article titled “Tokyo Officials Say Radiation In Tap Water Twice Recommended Limit For Infants” describes the details.

Radioactive iodine is one of the more dangerous elements from nuclear contamination because it is something the body can’t distinguish from it nonradioactive version. The human body needs iodine for healthy functioning of the thyroid. The thyroid regulates growth in the human body. The thyroid will absorb iodine whether it is radioactive or not.

Radioactive iodine-131 is the reason potassium iodide is used to protect the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide is absorbed by the thyroid and since it will be full, the thyroid will not absorb the radioactive iodine. Infants and young children are particularly sensitive to radioactive iodine because they are still growing and their thyroids will respond to lower levels of radioactive iodine. High levels of radioactive iodine can cause thyroid cancer.

Chernobyl Cleanup Survivor Advises Japanese To Run Away, Now!

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

A woman that was dispatched to help clean up the aftermath of the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history, Chernobyl, has a word of advice to the Japanese anywhere near the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. Run!

An article titled “Chernobyl Cleanup Survivor's Message for Japan: 'Run Away as Quickly as Possible'” by Dana Kennedy March 22, 2011 and posted on AOL News tells the story of Natalia Manzurova. Manzorova was dispatched as part of a cleanup team after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster to clean up a town near the plants.

Manzurova is basically saying that everyone inside the radiation zone of the plant should protect themselves in spite of the official position coming from the government and other authorities. Her message lines up with the old adage of believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see.

She may have a point if you consider how the Fukushima Dai-ichi nclear power plant disaster has slow walked itself into an ever more serious situation daily. Recall the 10-mile evacuation zone and radiation was found in food and milk 65 miles away. The United States Navy moved the aircraft carrier USS George Washington away from its base south of Tokyo to lessen radiation exposure risk. The U.S. has passed out potassium iodide pills to its personnel and family member in the area. Radioactive contamination has been found in sea water. Recently food imports into the U.S. from the affected areas have been banned. The latest is a report that levels of radioactive iodine has been measured in the tap water in Tokyo at twice the levels recommended for infants.

Manzurova speaks from a position of knowledge. She is still alive after her team coworkers died from various ailments, but wears the scar of having her thyroid removed by surgery to avoid cancer.