Community Corner
Napa County: No Radiation Threat in California
Napa County's top medical officer urges residents not to take potassium iodide, which can have serious side effects.
There is no current threat of radiation contamination in California from the damaged nuclear reactors in earthquake-racked Japan, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the Public Health Division of the :
State and federal authorities agree that there is currently no danger to California residents from Japan's nuclear emergency, and no reason for residents to be concerned about possible radiation effects.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has assessed the situation and declared the release of radiation from Japanese nuclear power plants following the March 11, 2011, earthquake does not pose a health threat to California residents.
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The California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) radiological branch routinely tests air, water and food supply for safety. CDPH also has a response plan for radiological emergencies in place and stockpiles emergency supplies, including potassium iodide (KI) tablets. Potassium iodide tablets are useful in blocking some types of radiation in the thyroid following confirmed radiation exposure.
Napa County Public Health does not recommend taking potassium iodide at this time.
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“Potassium iodide can have serious side effects and should not be taken unless recommended,“ said Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “We are in close contact with CDPH and we will work together to alert our residents if the situation changes.”
The State has established a hot line to answer questions from residents. For more information, please call the California Department of Public Health at (916) 341-3947.
From the Public Health Division of the .
