Since leaks from damaged nuclear power plants in Japan, some people in the U.S. are worried (or wondering) about the risk to our health from the resulting radiation. Are we at risk in the U.S.? And, if so, what should we do?
Epidemiologists across the U.S. have been part of our response to this potential public health threat. They analyzed radiation distribution patterns and connected that to the risk of health impacts here. An article in last week’s Cowboy State Free Press in Wyoming was a great example of this (and public health in the news).
Copied from the Cowboy State Free Press website:
[Wyoming] Health Department spokeswoman Kim Deti said there have been a handful of inquiries to the department, but more calls in other states. There has also been intense media coverage of radiation releases caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. “So we want to provide proactive advice to our residents,” Deti said.
There is no related radiation exposure risk in Wyoming and no reasonable expectation that a related public health risk will develop here, said Dr. Tracy Murphy in a press release. Murphy is the state epidemiologist and deputy state health officer. “For Wyoming residents who are wondering if they should be taking potassium iodide (commonly referred to as KI) as a precaution due to the Japanese emergency, the answer is definitely no,” Murphy said.
