Radiation exposure from Japan power plants - should we be
concerned? |David Crouse, Ph.D.| Traces of radiation have
appeared in the metro area, what should we know about exposure?
Radiation safety guidelines make it clear that any unnecessary
exposure should be avoided if possible. Fortunately, the levels
of radiation detected in the United States are well below those
that should cause concern and appear to be declining. Indeed,
they are only slightly above exposure levels that occur
naturally in some places in the world or in association with
things like intercontinental flights or routine radiographic
procedures, like a chest X-ray exam. With the levels seen in the
United States, there would be no expected long-term effects.
However, in the region immediately surrounding the reactors in
Japan (out to say 15-25 miles), and depending on your exact
location, duration and type of exposure (e.g., skin versus
ingested), there may be long-term effects. Based on available
information and the experience from Chernob