Surviving Nuclear Radiation

A complete meltdown could release uranium and dangerous contaminants into the environment and pose major, widespread health risks.

An explosion Monday(14/3/11) rocked the second of three reactors at earthquake-ravaged Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex, but officials insisted that radiation levels near the facility were safe, according to news reports.

A similar explosion at a second reactor at the complex occurred on Saturday. The explosions prompted an order for hundreds of people to stay indoors, the Associated Press reported.

Following Monday's explosion, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yukio Edano, said the containment vessel holding radioactive nuclear rods at the reactor was intact, allaying some fears of health threats to the public.

Effects of radiation

Our knowledge of radiation effects derives primarily from groups of people who have received high doses. The risk associated with large radiation doses is relatively well established.

However, the risks associated with doses under about 200 mSv are less obvious because of the large underlying incidence of cancer caused by other factors.
 
Radiation protection standards assume that any dose of radiation, no matter how small, involves a possible risk to human health.

However, available scientific evidence does not indicate any cancer risk or immediate effects at doses below 100 mSv a year.

At low levels of exposure, the body's natural repair mechanisms seem to be adequate to repair radiation damage to cells soon after it occurs.

Breathing in or eating food contaminated with radioactive iodine can cause thyroid cancer. Food can become contaminated as the radioactive dust settles on crops and even grass that cows or other animals eat.

Radioactive cesium can cause more damage long-term, including cancer and lung problems. High exposure levels can cause acute radiation syndrome, even death.

Syndrome will cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, and diarrhea.

Protecting yourself and your family 

There are four ways in which people are protected from identified radiation sources:

- Limiting time. In occupational situations, dose is reduced by limiting exposure time.

- Distance. The intensity of radiation decreases with distance from its source.  How far the radioactivity might spread would depend on weather conditions such as wind and rain.

These factors also need to be taken into account when deciding how far to move people from potential danger.

- Shielding. Barriers of lead, concrete or water give good protection from high levels of penetrating radiation such as gamma rays.

Intensely radioactive materials are therefore often stored or handled under water, or by remote control in rooms constructed of thick concrete or lined with lead.

- All food should be washed and people should avoid any contaminated milk and meat.

- Containment. Highly radioactive materials are confined and kept out of the workplace and environment. Nuclear reactors operate within closed systems with multiple barriers which keep the radioactive materials at distance.

Foods to counter radiation effects

- Take potassium iodide (KI) or potassium iodate (KIO3) tablets to help block your thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine.

Interestingly enough, according to research by Ken Miller, health physicist at the Hershey Medical Center, he found that an adult could get a blocking dose of stable iodine by painting 8 ml of a 2 percent tincture of Iodine on the abdomen or forearm approximately 2 hours prior to I-131 contamination.

Potassium iodine tablets are best, but if they’re not available this is the next best thing.

- Chlorella algae, a known immune system builder and heavy metal detoxifier, has also shown radioprotective effects.

Because they bind heavy metals, algae should therefore be consumed after exposure to any type of radioactive contamination.

Consumption of sea vegetables

- The kelps and algaes aren’t the only natural foods with radio-detoxifying effects. In terms of fluids to drink, black and green tea

- Consuming Reishi mushrooms is another proven way to bolster your immune system

- The amino acid L-Glutamine can be used to help repair the intestine in case of the gastrointestinal syndrome usually suffered due to radiation exposure, and a variety of substances can help rebuild blood cells to prevent hematopoietic syndrome.

An anti-radiation diet should focus on the following foods:

- Miso soup.

- Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)

- Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables.

- Beans and lentils.

- Potassium, calcium and mineral rich foods.

- High nucleotide content foods to assist in cellular repair including spirulina, chlorella, algae, yeast, sardines, liver, anchovies and mackerel.

- Cod liver oil and olive oil.

- Avoid sugars and sweets and wheat.

- A good multivitamin/multimineral supplement.

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