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Community Corner

Don't Overreact to Radioactivity

Japanese fallout reaches Venice, but don't climb under your desk yet.

The first radioactivity from Japan’s stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has now reached us in Southern California, but we’ve been assured that the levels are too low to harm us.

Stores along the west coast are facing a run on potassium iodine tablets, which are used to protect the thyroid gland from inhaled radiation.  It works by filling the thyroid with as much non-radioactive iodine as that gland can absorb,  blocking blocking absorption of radioactive iodine. The pills have been distributed to American troops in Japan helping with the rescue efforts. However, officials warn us not to take it here at this point.  

Taking iodine is not a good idea. Right now the benefits of the drug are outweighed by the risk of side effects which could include loss of appetite, nausea, severe allergic reactions including fever and an irregular heartbeat, rashes and inflammation of the salivary glands. People with thyroid conditions are at greater risk.  

Find out what's happening in Venice-Mar Vistawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The South Coast Air Coast Management District is monitoring the situation which is not expected to worsen to a real threat.

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