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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Japan's Nuke Crisis Not A Significant U.S. Threat

The tragedy in Japan continued to worsen today, with word that one of the failed nuclear reactors may have run out of water and a serious meltdown was imminent, and the Internet erupted with rumors the U.S. government was seizing the supply of potassium iodide, which diminishes the impact of radiation poisoning, lethal waves of radiation were just hours away, and more.

Also, Reuters reported that the European Union was worried that food exported from Japan could be radioactive and the alternative Westword newspaper in Denver reported on the state health agency's list of recommendations regarding the ongoing disaster at the Fukushima plant on the other side of the world.

But several experts in the field said while preparations certainly are reasonable – and could contribute to a level of safety in other emergencies too – there really was no reason for a panic.

Dr. Jane Orient, of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, told WND that some of the reports of radiation measurements at the evacuation zone surrounding the Fukushima plant have equaled roughly three chest X-rays.

"I have seen maps suggesting that within 10 days the whole United States from Alaska to the tip of Baja California on the West Coast will see 750 rads, which is an instantly lethal dose," she said.

"That's totally preposterous."

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