Don’t Panic! News Round-up and Tips Regarding the Japan Radiation Crisis

Don’t Panic! News Round-up and Tips Regarding the Japan Radiation Crisis
By Ellen Schliebitz , eChinacities.com


You only have to panic when these guys knock on your door. Photo: unsv.com

The world has been watching in disbelief and shock as Japan’s worst ever earthquake and tsunami has unfolded to become a multi-faceted disaster of epic proportions. As rescue workers race against time to find survivors amongst the thousands that are still missing, another unprecedented disaster has been unfolding at the quake damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. As news broke out about several explosions, soaring radiation levels, radiation clouds drifting towards Tokyo, embassies urging their citizens to leave and fears that a new “Chernobyl incident” was likely, panic began to ripple across the East China Sea all the way to Beijing. This spread of panic was further accelerated by a hoax text message which urged people across Asia to begin preparing for an onslaught of nuclear radiation.

One way this panic has been manifesting itself is through the panic buying of salt – many of the shelves where salt bags used to sit are now empty and huge price tags are attached to those few bags remaining. Social networking sites are flooded with panicky comments and threads about the likelihood of the radiation reaching the capital – and all this despite the fact that all the major media sources have been assuring the public that no such threat currently exists. Most of these reports go further to remind people that consuming high levels of salt will have minimal use in curbing the harmful effects of radiation and too much salt poses its own health risks (see below).

The bottom line is that residents in Beijing really have no reason to panic at the moment or to stock up on salt supplies (unless you run out of it for cooking purposes of course!). Here’s what other media have been saying:

1) Huanqiu.com: China has stepped up efforts to monitor radiation of passengers and goods coming from Japan at airports, but so far no abnormal radiation has been detected. See more here.
2) China Daily: According to staff at the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center of the State Oceanic Administration, the tides near Fukushima generally slowly drift eastwards out into the Pacific and any pollution from the nuclear crisis is likely to stay within ocean areas around Fukushima. Read full article here.
3) New York Times: Most China-related news agencies stated that China would not be affected by radiation for three days. That statement was issued on March 15th, and on March 16th, the UN predicted that a radioactive cloud would reach America’s West Coast on March 18th. Read more here.

If you’re still skeptical and want to be prepared “just in case” then here are some tips for minimizing exposure to radiation according to the WHO:

1) Restricting the consumption of vegetables and dairy products produced in the vicinity of the power plant can reduce exposure.
2) “If you are coming indoors after radiation exposure, undress in the doorway to avoid further contamination in your home or shelter. Remove clothing and shoes and place them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and place it in a safe location, away from living areas, children, and pets.”
3) “Shower or bathe with warm, not scalding hot, water and soap. Notify authorities that you may have contaminated clothing and personal belongings to be handled appropriately and disposed of according to accepted national procedures.”
4) “If you are advised to stay indoors, you should find the safest room in your house or office building that has no windows or doors. Ventilation systems, such as heating and cooling systems, should be shut down.”
5) “Radioactivity cannot contaminate food that is packaged; for example, tinned or plastic-wrapped food is protected from radioactivity as long as the food is sealed”

(See more tips here)


Don’t overdo it on the salt. Photo: nytimes.com


And here’s what happens when you consume too much salt:

1) High doses of salt increases blood pressure which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
2) Abnormal heart development: high salt intakes can increase your blood volume which in turn causes your heart to become abnormally large and your heart valves can become thicker. This weakens your heart which in the worst case scenario can lead to cardiac arrest or heart failure.
3) Excess salt gets filtered out by through your urine. This means your kidneys have to work much harder and crystals may also form. This could eventually damage your kidneys.
4)Dehydration: excessive sodium draws water draws water out of your cells and into your tissues. This makes you look bloated and swollen; quite often the lower part of your body like feet and ankles have to bear the brunt.
5) Digestive diseases: too much salt can trigger acid reflexes and heart burn which just isn’t pleasant. Studies also link salty foods to gastric ulcers and cancers.
6) Hormone imbalance: too much salt can hinder the conduction of nerve impulses, causing symptoms of dizziness, muscle cramps, shakiness and even depression.

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Keywords: radiation tips Beijing Beijing salt panic buying radiation fears Beijing

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