Radiation Risks to Health
Radiation Risks to Health
posted by Melissa Breyer
Mar 21, 2011
The thought of radiation exposure is the stuff nightmares, and
justifiably so. With the release of radiation from the disaster-stricken
nuclear complex in Japan, people the globe over have increased fear
that a potential plume of radioactivity may find them–especially those
on the U.S. west coast. To help Americans understand their
radiation-related health risks, the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists (AACE), the American Thyroid Association (ATA), The
Endocrine Society and the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) issued a joint statement of the radiation risks to health.
justifiably so. With the release of radiation from the disaster-stricken
nuclear complex in Japan, people the globe over have increased fear
that a potential plume of radioactivity may find them–especially those
on the U.S. west coast. To help Americans understand their
radiation-related health risks, the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists (AACE), the American Thyroid Association (ATA), The
Endocrine Society and the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) issued a joint statement of the radiation risks to health.
The statement describes that the main component to be concerned about
is radioactive iodine including iodine-131.This presents a special
risk to health because exposure of the thyroid to high levels may lead
to development of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer years later.
is radioactive iodine including iodine-131.This presents a special
risk to health because exposure of the thyroid to high levels may lead
to development of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer years later.
As we have been hearing in the news, radioactive iodine uptake to the
thyroid can be blocked by taking potassium iodide (KI) pills. But the
joint statement cautions that “KI should not be taken unless there is a
clear risk of exposure to high levels of radioactive iodine. While some
radiation may be detected in the United States as a result of the
nuclear reactor accident in Japan, current estimates indicate radiation
levels will not be harmful to the thyroid gland or general health.” If
radiation levels were to rise to significant levels, KI should only be
taken as directed by physicians or public health authorities until the
risk for significant exposure dissipates.
thyroid can be blocked by taking potassium iodide (KI) pills. But the
joint statement cautions that “KI should not be taken unless there is a
clear risk of exposure to high levels of radioactive iodine. While some
radiation may be detected in the United States as a result of the
nuclear reactor accident in Japan, current estimates indicate radiation
levels will not be harmful to the thyroid gland or general health.” If
radiation levels were to rise to significant levels, KI should only be
taken as directed by physicians or public health authorities until the
risk for significant exposure dissipates.
The statement discourages individuals needlessly purchasing or
hoarding of KI in the United States. Since there is not a radiation
emergency in the United States or its territories, the statement does
not support the ingestion of KI prophylaxis at this time. KI can cause
allergic reactions, skin rashes, salivary gland inflammation,
hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in a small percentage of people.
hoarding of KI in the United States. Since there is not a radiation
emergency in the United States or its territories, the statement does
not support the ingestion of KI prophylaxis at this time. KI can cause
allergic reactions, skin rashes, salivary gland inflammation,
hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in a small percentage of people.
AACE, ATA, The Endocrine Society and SNM will continue to monitor
potential risks to health from this accident and will issue amended
advisories as warranted.
potential risks to health from this accident and will issue amended
advisories as warranted.
Source:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/radiation-risks-to-health.html
:love: We see a world where peace is everywhere, where humanity has risen up and out of our old defensive mindset; where we all see, ever-so-clearly, that every time we bought into the idea that we needed to take a defensive stance or felt we had to defend ourselves against foreign enemies, unfriendly neighbors, dangerous criminals, the local militia, or anyone who appeared to threaten us, we were actually attracting an attack upon ourselves because we were holding the thought of being attacked – a thought which will manifest as easily as any other.
By the same token, we envision a world where where mankind has risen up and out of our need to be in opposition to others because we have seen, ever-so-clearly, that when we oppose another, we become just like them.
With these two thought patterns having gone by the wayside, we now see a world where we no longer support anyone or any institution that advocates aggression, destruction, or harming others in any way. Now, we envision a world where people walk the sidewalks and roads of all lands freely and openly, where we smile at one another easily, work together in cooperation, and want only for the well-being and goodwill of everyone else; where all weapons are gone and we solve our challenges by negotiating, by compromising, and by helping one another to realize our dreams in an atmosphere of peace and unbridled creativity.
It is in this environment – an environment where everyone feels completely and utterly safe – that the peace in our hearts and minds has worked its way outward into our world as well; where all people enjoy their lives because peace – true peace – is both inside and outside of us at the same time. :love: