OREGON HEALTH DIVISION: NO RADIATION RISK

The Oregon Public Health Division has released the latest information about radiation risks associated with the nuclear plant emergency in Japan:

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Oregon radiation monitors continue to confirm that no radiation levels of concern have reached the U.S.

Oregon Public Health officials studying an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air monitor in Portland have detected minuscule levels of iodine 131, which is radiation connected with Japan’s nuclear emergency. Low levels of iodine 131 have been expected on the West Coast as a result of events in Japan. This more detailed analysis confirms there continues to be no health risk to people in Oregon. The tiny amounts of radioactive iodine are far lower than levels that would be a health concern.

“Our finding is consistent with findings in Washington and California. We have expected to find trace amounts of the isotopes released from the Japanese plant. There is no health risk,” says Gail Shibley, administrator of the Office of Environmental Public Health, Oregon Public Health Division.

These results are consistent with findings reported by federal, California, Washington and Canadian partners. Because of the nearly 5,000 mile distance from Japan combined with air diffusion, radiation reaching our state is so diluted there is no health risk here, making protective action unnecessary.

The EPA reports that 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 has been detected coming from Japan. For example, the levels coming from Japan are 100,000 times lower than what you get from taking a roundtrip international flight.

Public Health officials continue to track general radiation levels in Oregon and the information is available to the public. To view daily measurements, click here.