Food radiation fears move to forefront

The amount of radioactive iodine measured in milk on the West Coast was so small that it did not rise above the normal background level of radiation. Still, it's the first evidence that radiation from Japan's damaged nuclear plant is making it directly into food produced in America, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

Complete coverage: Disaster in Japan
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Contaminated cow sparks more tests on Japan beef

"Radiation can be a scary word, but I think it's important to remember that actually, we live surrounded by radiation every single day," said Blair Thompson of the Washington Dairy Products Commission.

In fact some of our most common food -- potatoes, carrots, bananas, Brazil nuts all contain radioactive potassium. The radioactive iodine measured in milk can be more dangerous because it concentrates in the thyroid.

Still, the amounts measured are 5,000 times lower than those that can cause health damage, even in growing children. But for many fear remains -- and that can cause its own problems.

"We actually see health damage -- not from the radiation but from the fear of the radiation," said Tom McKone of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at UC Berkeley. "And it's very real!"

That level of concern is why a Los Angeles fish market that imports fish from Japan is now sending samples of everything it brings in to an Arizona lab for radiation testing.

"Bottom line, we want to make sure our customers are well-informed on what's going on and that the radiation has not affected the fish incoming to the United States," said Ray Watanabe of International Marine Products.

Everything imported from Japan is already tested for radiation at ports and airports. And on hundreds of rooftops across the country, radiation detectors take constant measurements.

"It's very sensitive and should be very reassuring to the public," said Eric Stevenson of the California Air Resources Board.

Although only tiny amounts of radiation from Japan have been detected in air and in milk,  the fear of radiation is so great that even figures meant to reassure -- can instead cause alarm.

[mindbodyspirit]

We've had 50 years of history showing us severe catastrophes that nuclear radiation can cause. I've even heard that some brave Japanese workers have given their lives to help clean up the mess. I salute them for their bravery in a toxic situation. I am also praying for this mess to be dissipated quickly and not harm many people.

Herbs should be our first line of protection against radiation and heavy metal poisoning (cesium 137 and plutonium are heavy metals.)I hope people do take some precautions so they don't get sick though.

http://thehealingfrequency.com/radiation-safety-guide-protection-from-radiation-hazards/

[darkwinds123]

Whats not being told here is that ANY radiation you receive, is cumulative in your body....even low level or as they are calling it "trace" elements.

However, if you'll note in these articles...they almost never give you the actual readings...they just say far below the "normal background level" or "the levels show no risk". If they give you the actual readings in milliseiverts or GY's or millirads/rads...then, we have charts available to us to check out what is an issue and what is not.

[Molly-Pchr]

Go read how much radiation a pack-a-day cigarette smoker is exposed to a year.

[dougy2233]

Fear of radiation? I, like most everybody here, am not afraid of eating food - unless it came from a make believe land that has icky poisoned stuff in it. I prefer Doritos to to fish, beef, or vegetables because they taste better. I don't like to get stomachaches or headaches. I have a new TV and my chair is comfortable. I feel really lucky to be far, far away, watching the people try to fix broken things, and then the funny commercials in-between are great. I really do feel sorry for the people working so hard and I hope they will all get better soon, don't get me wrong. I heard only a few whiffs of that smelly stuff radioactive stuff are blowing over to my country, for now. If it gets worse, I'll just have to get up and close the windows. Never mind there are 104 plants fairly close to my house or your house, I just don't want to think about it because I might have a bad hair day. Nothing can ever happen here, because the government and the industry have told us that we safe. If something bad does happen, we won't be able to go outside to play for a few days, that would be absolutely awful. I love to live my life in my bubble of security, with a fuzzy blanket, knowing that this is fairyland, and bad things can never happen, especially to me. Smart people are taking care of all my problems so everything will be OK. So, I don't worry so much. I just flicked the channel, oh, one question: Who is that Moammar Kadafi fellow? he looks so funny in that jacket, but I bet he was handsome when he was young.

[Vet_Turner]

Really people. Has to do with the poor science education people receive in this country. A few milirem - big deal. You get that sitting in a hospital for a few hours. Tell the people to get over it but then again 73% of the American public believes in winged angles.

[JBurt56]

It would be helpful if we had normal backgrounds for Cs-137 and I-131 in becquerels (counts per second). UC Berkeley has some measurements for the Bay Area at http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/UCBAirSampling. There should be measurements available nationwide.

[ludvig1-2009]

Hiroshima was bombed with a Uranium atom bomb, Nagasaki with a Plutonium atom-bomb. The Japanese live longer than we do. We should be more upset about the way we treat our own bodies than we should about radiation. I live on the West Coast. Today I drank milk. I'm still alive. I'll be tomorrow and the day after that. I don't think I'll die from radiation unless it's the solar type from skin cancer. That's a lot more likely than anything from a nuclear power plant. Yes I'm a retired Nuc. Engr. I'm tired of all these people being scared of their own shadow.

[Caerlt]

The last two generations in the US have learned about Hiroshima and Nagasaki in school and seen the horrific photos. We've heard about the deaths of the men who did early bomb tests. We have heard about Chernobyl and lurid details about what life has been like there since the accident--whether true or not. We use special drapes when we get xrays and read about how too many xrays can cause cancer. We are paranoid about radiation exposure at airports; Opponents of airport body scanning have a loud presence--whether true or not.

Even our science fiction presents us with examples of post-apocalyptic dystopian societies littered with radiation-burned zombies

Of course we are scared of radiation.

Myths and facts about what it can do to us are everywhere. Most people cannot separate the two and the media sensationalizes the risks and plays on these fears.

[emag]

One of the most irresponsible articles I've ever seen from what should be a respected news site. Absolute crap. John Blackstone should be sent packing.

[rwsmith29456]

More news scare stuff.