West Coast? Iodine & Fallout Information - Page 3

[fresh_veggie]

No potassium iodide in Utah - I cleaned out our local sunflower of kelp - the last 5 bottles.  We filled our tank this morning, and they are saying things like:

"Company officials have not confirmed whether they have been able to get the fuel rods completely submerged again."

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-japan-reactor-damage-20110314,0,5884491.story

So their gov't isn't telling them anything apparently, so there's no way we would know.  I read an article that said the Japanese people are getting very frustrated at this point with the lack of info.  I also do not trust the media. 

Having lots of nori and brown rice tonight for dinner, packing a bag in case we have to up it and drive to my family's place in Texas.  Let's keep each other updated!

And by the way, we should start taking the iodide or whatever you're taking immediately.  It won't hurt, will only help, because once you let the I-131 in...yeah.

ETA: after reading the blog posts by Brownstein, I still would not hesitate to dose at this time.  Like you've all said, you don't trust the media, so "expected fallout" coming from media might be incorrect.  But I guess all I'm taking is kelp, so I'm not worried about side effects and having enough at this point...

Edited by fresh_veggie - 3/14/11 at 10:02pm

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by journeymom 

Karamom, I don't think that's the same.  I think that kind of iodine is different from potassium iodide.  You don't take potassium iodide as a supplement, only if you are in immediate danger of exposure to one specific kind of radiation. 

More stuff: 

http://bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/8B606D08-075F-4415-994C-8FB44390BDB0/0/japan_event_faq.pdf

potassium iodine is a common supplement. The iodine thread

[Chamomile Girl]

I've been following this discussion with interest (since I live in the Bay Area) but I don't get why the link to the snopes page was apparently removed. How much iodine one must take is in direct proportion to how much radiation exposure...yes? So knowing that there is some inaccurate hysteria being circulated in that direction is pretty important to this discussion.

And as mentioned upthread...if we get fallout it won't matter if you leave for a week. The ground will be contaminated, and waiting for you when you get back. Sigh.

[Karamom]

Originally Posted by journeymom 

Karamom, I don't think that's the same.  I think that kind of iodine is different from potassium iodide.  You don't take potassium iodide as a supplement, only if you are in immediate danger of exposure to one specific kind of radiation.   I think.

More stuff: 

http://bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/8B606D08-075F-4415-994C-8FB44390BDB0/0/japan_event_faq.pdf

Hmmm. I'm using lugol's which says potassium iodide but I know its used commonly as an iodine supplement? maybe it's the dosage? Fallout dosage is 130mg but I have only been taking about 12mg/day for dietary purposes.

[Toolip]

I'm pretty sure the half live of iodine-131 is 8 days, so not too long. Is there something I'm not understanding that means it will be around for a long time. I know there is at least one other type of radiation as well (coming from Japan) but I'm not sure what it is or what the half-life is.

[Toolip]

http://www.amazon.com/J-Crows-1-oz-Lugols-Solution/dp/B001PN3BUW/ref=pd_sim_hpc_5

here's some potassium iodine still in stock as of monday night

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by Toolip 

I'm pretty sure the half live of iodine-131 is 8 days, so not too long. Is there something I'm not understanding that means it will be around for a long time. I know there is at least one other type of radiation as well (coming from Japan) but I'm not sure what it is or what the half-life is.

Cesium-137 I think. Half life of 30 years.

Oh, from today's article in the local paper:

(Talking about Chernobyl) "A 20-year study released last year by the U.N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation found that there were about 6,000 cases of thyroid cancer in children from Ukraine and Belarus who drank milk with elevated levels of radioactive iodine from cows in the area."

Yuck.

But it goes on to say:

"Radiation levels were not high enough to harm others in the former Soviet Union and Europe who lived in the area where the cesium-137, iodine-131 and other radioactive materials drifted for hundreds of miles, the study found.

"There is no scientific evidence of increases in overall cancer incidence or mortality rates," the study concluded."

[junestars]

Here is a good site I ordered from a few years ago with lots of info...

specific page regarding japan...

http://www.ki4u.com/illwind.htm

his site is so massive I read something about breastfeeding and pregnancy and now I can't find it.. ugh.   time for bed!  maybe someone else can....  sorry! 

[joybird]

Really?  Everything I can find says not to take it unless you know you will be exposed to fallout.  Also, it is not advised to take it for long periods of time.  It all is terrible, because it looks like the plumes will be wafting over here for months.  You can't take that much KI for months.  What I read on Brownstein's blog was to start taking around 13mg (for an adult) now and to wait-and-see whether a larger dose will be needed in the next few days...

Originally Posted by fresh_veggie 

And by the way, we should start taking the iodide or whatever you're taking immediately.  It won't hurt, will only help, because once you let the I-131 in...yeah.

ETA: after reading the blog posts by Brownstein, I still would not hesitate to dose at this time.  Like you've all said, you don't trust the media, so "expected fallout" coming from media might be incorrect.  But I guess all I'm taking is kelp, so I'm not worried about side effects and having enough at this point...

[mamaupupup]

If you're thinking of getting out of the path of the fallout, take a look at the Jetstream pics:  http://modernsurvivalblog.com/ .  We first thought about going to the East Coast, but the Jetstream takes the fallout there too.  We are considering the Florida Keys or even out of the country, if we decide to leave.

Also, my husband found a site which suggested also taking potassium and milk thistle.  I'll try to get the link from him.

Finally, Betadine or Povidex (tincture of iodine) can be helpful.  THIS IS TOPICAL--DO NOT INJEST ORALLY!!! Can be helpful as a "last" resort--Google this to get more info, I haven't looked into this enough, other than to know it's toxic if you drink it.  I think I found this info on http://www.ki4u.com/illwind.htm  EDIT.  I found the section:

 from  http://www.ki4u.com/illwind.htm  In an emergency, if no more KI tablets available here, you can topically (on the skin) apply an iodine solution, like tincture of iodine or Betadine, for a similar protective effect. (WARNING: Iodine is NEVER to be ingested or swallowed, it is poison to drink.) For adults, paint 8 ml of a 2 percent tincture of Iodine on the abdomen or forearm each day, ideally at least 2 hours prior to initial exposure. For children 3 to 18, but under 150 pounds, only half that amount painted on daily, or 4 ml. For children under 3 but older than a month, half again, or 2 ml. For newborns to 1 month old, half it again, or just 1 ml. (One measuring teaspoon is about 5 ml, if you don't have a medicine dropper graduated in ml.) If your iodine solution is stronger than 2%, reduce the dosage accordingly. Absorption through the skin is not as exact a dosing method as using the tablets, but tests show that it will still be very effective for most. More about the above at Plan B, along with formulas there for mixing up potassium iodide (KI) solutions if you acquire KI powder or crystals. Do not use if allergic to iodine. There are also a few other medical conditions and medications, discussed there, that are contraindicated that your physician can best advise you about. Inquire of your doctor NOW if there is any reason why anybody in your household should not use KI, or iodine solutions topically on their skin, in a future nuclear emergency, just to be sure.

Thinking of everyone here and in Japan.  Thank you all for the inputs you have given!

Time to get some sleep!

[fresh_veggie]

Originally Posted by joybird 

Really?  Everything I can find says not to take it unless you know you will be exposed to fallout.  Also, it is not advised to take it for long periods of time.  It all is terrible, because it looks like the plumes will be wafting over here for months.  You can't take that much KI for months.  What I read on Brownstein's blog was to start taking around 13mg (for an adult) now and to wait-and-see whether a larger dose will be needed in the next few days...

I said because I was taking kelp. Lol. By "dosing" I wasn't saying the full-amount-if-you're-in-the-path amount.  Just whatever dosage.

[fresh_veggie]

Originally Posted by mamaupupup 

If you're thinking of getting out of the path of the fallout, take a look at the Jetstream pics:  http://modernsurvivalblog.com/ .  We first thought about going to the East Coast, but the Jetstream takes the fallout there too.  We are considering the Florida Keys or even out of the country, if we decide to leave.

Thinking of everyone here and in Japan.  Thank you all for the inputs you have given!

Time to get some sleep!

We're lucky we have family in Texas...we've also considered leaving the country, at any time.  It's not a matter of coming back to Utah and things still being contaminated - we'd just get jobs elsewhere and get back on our feet.  There's nothing here as important as our safety and our lives, and I'd leave everything behind in a heartbeat!  It's a very liberating feeling when you get to that point - I realized I felt that way a few months back.  And the Keys sounds nice - dh hails from South Florida, but I've never been.  I'm a gulf coast girl myself :)

[mamaupupup]

We need a "like" button on here!  I like your thoughts, fresh veggie!

[bonjourmama]

Yikes, this is really looking horrible. I agree with a pp that said how much of a sad state our beautiful earth is in right now. It is heartbreaking.

I feel so horrible for the Japanese who are stuck amongst this. 

I don't know what we are going to do. California may never be a safe place to live ever again, right? We are in the bay area. And it is raining and humid. 

[Koalamom]

Here is a quote from a book called Minerals for the Genetic Code:
"Now consider the various forms of radiation that assault the human body. If you have adequate boron and iodine levels, the body is not affected. DNA is not altered when adequate boron levels are present. That's why the Chernobyl disaster called for boron to treat the place. Boron absorbs radiation and releases it without disturbing the protons and neutron in the nucleus."

I don't know how true this is but it is worth looking up boron and radiation...


Mama from UT, do you think it is going to get all the way to you?

[stellabluz]

Im pregnant and also going to be taking Chlorella, Sodium Ascorbate (high doses of Vit C), green tea extract plus other immune builders...This is pretty good~

http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/Radiationprotection.html

Does anyone have any other sources of fall-out maps or wind currents or any reputable info other than the mentioned blog?

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by stellabluz 

Im pregnant and also going to be taking Chlorella, Sodium Ascorbate (high doses of Vit C), green tea extract plus other immune builders...This is pretty good~

http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/Radiationprotection.html

Does anyone have any other sources of fall-out maps or wind currents or any reputable info other than the mentioned blog?

dh found this yesterday:

Radiation from Japan's stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has been detected 100 miles to the northeast, over the Pacific Ocean, by the U.S. military. Westerly to southwesterly winds have predominated over Japan the past few days, carrying most of the radiation eastwards out to sea. The latest forecast for Sendai, Japan, located about 40 miles north of the Fukushima nuclear plant, calls for winds with a westerly component to dominate for the remainder of the week, with the exception of a 6-hour period on Tuesday. Thus, any radiation released by the nuclear plant will primarily affect Japan or blow out to sea. A good tool to predict the radiation cloud's path is NOAA's HYSPLIT trajectory model. The model uses the GFS model's winds to track the movement of a hypothetical release of a substance into the atmosphere. One can specify the altitude of the release as well as the location, and follow the trajectory for up to two weeks. However, given the highly chaotic nature of the atmosphere's winds, trajectories beyond about 3 days have huge uncertainties.One can get only a general idea of where a plume is headed beyond 3 days. I've been performing a number of runs of HYSPLIT over past few days, and so far great majority of these runs have taken plumes of radioactivity emitted from Japan's east coast eastwards over the Pacific, with the plumes staying over water for at least 5 days. Some of the plumes move over eastern Siberia, Alaska, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico in 5 - 7 days. Such a long time spent over water will mean that the vast majority of the radioactive particles will settle out of the atmosphere or get caught up in precipitation and rained out. It is highly unlikely that any radiation capable of causing harm to people will be left in atmosphere after seven days and 2000+ miles of travel distance. Even the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which had a far more serious release of radioactivity, was unable to spread significant contamination more than about 1000 miles.

Our whole family will be taking 60-100mg of potassium iodide daily for a week when it arrives in the mail on Friday.

[Koalamom]

Here is a good one:
http://www.rense.com/general93/fef.htm

[Koalamom]

Here are some links on spirulina being used to treat radiation in the body on children (even cesium-137)
http://www.roberthenrikson.com/SpirulinaSource/library-radiation.html

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by Karamom 

Hmmm. I'm using lugol's which says potassium iodide but I know its used commonly as an iodine supplement? maybe it's the dosage? Fallout dosage is 130mg but I have only been taking about 12mg/day for dietary purposes.

That's interesting. I wasn't familiar with Lugol's prior to this thread.  I'm guessing that the difference is in the dosage, 13mg versus 130 mg.  I really don't know!

If anything this thread has highlighted how we need to rely on our own powers of deduction, common sense and logic, our own research skills.  There's a lot of information out on the wild web, it's a bit daunting. 

There is the Sierra Nevada mountains and the state of Nevada between California and Utah. However, there are lots reasons to move from Utah to Florida. :D