We will use our blog in order to update our patients on actions to take due to the possibility of increased radiation exposure.  It is now Saturday, March 19, 2011 and the first signs of radiation particulate secondary to the Japanese nuclear situation have been detected on the West Coast.  The new California reading came from a measuring station of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, and the monitor was apparently located in Sacramento.  It was reported that the level detected was one billion times beneath levels required to be health threatening.  Due to the primary nuclear event being approximately 5000 miles from San Francisco, it is highly unlikely that levels will increase to those required to create disease.  Most likely the increased levels of radiation are stemming from the radioactive particles that were able to travel upward enough from the reactors to get caught in the jet stream.  The jet stream is a very fast flowing, narrow air current that occurs at approximately 30,000 ft. above sea level.  Very few radioactive particulates will actually reach this level.  For all the radioactive emissions that did not reach this level, the light easterly surface winds across Japan has forced them over the Pacific Ocean.  The primary radioactive elements involved in the emissions are cesium and iodine.  Once these have been deposited into the ocean they will form cesium chloride and iodine chloride, which are both harmless.

Due to the information that we have now, we would not suggest that any patients consume additional supplemental iodine or iodide formulations.  We are keeping tabs on this situation and will add additional suggestions if conditions change.  Again, the levels of radiation that the West Coast is experiencing is not enough to be of harm.  Please abstain from the unnecessary use of iodine and iodide products unless levels of radiation significantly increase.

We will keep you posted if information changes.

In Health,

Dr. Bryan Skinner, ND