Wednesday 6 November 2013

Fukshima Fallout

It is a radical departure from what I normally write about but in my introduction post long ago I did mention I would talk about survival topics.  This is going to be one of those times.

I was reading about the Fukishima #4 reactor.  People with more degrees then me warn that another earthquake measuring 7 or higher would cause catastrophic damage to the reactor releasing massive amounts of radiation and nuclear material in the atmosphere.  One person suggested it would be so severe as to warrant an evacuation of the west coast of North America.

Now, I am not agreeing with this assessment.  I think the evacuation of the west coast is fear mongering at its worst but I also know that reactor is hanging on by shoestrings so I agree that an earthquake of 7 (or even less!) would probably wreck the thing.  The chance of another earthquake at 7 or higher over the next 3 years is 95% - almost certain.

So I started looking into defenses against nuclear contamination.

First nuclear contaminants tend to be heavy elements.  They quickly fall from the sky and are typically not absorbed by the skin.  This means that most nuclear contaminants on the skin can be washed off with soap and water.  The problem comes from inhaling nuclear contaminants and skin absorbsion from the few that can be absorbed.
Let me be clear, once something radioactive enters your body, you can not remove it.  It will forever emit dangerous, cancer causing radiation.

Iodine is one of the major radioactive isotopes created in nuclear power plants.  It can be absorbed through the skin where the thyroid gobbles it all up and stores it.  Luckily the body can process Iodine and there is a preventative measure you can take.  Upon a nuclear event, taking Potassium Iodine will “fill up” your thyroid with non-radioactive iodine causing any excess (such as radioactive iodine) to be expelled.  Excess iodine can lead to serious health problems so taking it in excess could have detrimental health problems.  This is the recommended dosage to “fill” the thyroid.  This would need to be taken a day or two before being exposed to radioactive iodine.  This treatment would be repeated daily until the threat has passed.

Age                            KI in mg per day
Over 12 years old                  130
3 – 12 years old                     65
1 – 36 months old                  32
< 1 month old                        16

Most radioactive isotopes will enter through inhalation; that is, breathing it in.  Once a radioactive element enters your lungs, you can not remove it.  The only thing you can use, in defense, is a gas mask.  Scott air packs are impractical so I would chose a military gas mask or any mask that uses a 40mm carbon filter cartridge like the military uses.  I don’t think an industrial dust mask will work but it is better then nothing if you are in a pinch.  If you do opt to try a dust mask, your eyes will become an entry point and need to be defended as well.

Until a rainfall, stay clean.  Most radioactive isotopes will not absorb through the skin so they can be washed off.  To keep it out of the fibers of my clothes, I plan to use rain gear.  I have no evidence to back up the following statement but I imagine that cuts and scrapes would need to be covered to keep contaminants out of the blood,

When the rain does come, most contaminants will be washed out of the air and end up on the ground and in your water supply.  Filtering water is a topic for another day.

I hope this quick guide will help people in their disaster plans and empower them not to live in fear. 

Stay safe.