Gamma Ray Levels In Thailand 'Are Normal'

[webfact]

JAPANESE FALLOUT

Local Gamma ray levels 'are normal'

By The Nation

Doctors say Betadine useless against radiation; iodine can work but must be consumed under prescription

The gamma ray levels detected in Thailand are within the normal range, the Office of Atoms for Peace reported yesterday in response to public fears of radiation spreading from a leaking nuclear power plant in Japan.

"Please follow updates about the situation from us," said Chaivat Toskulkao, secretary-general of the OAP.

As of 3.30pm Tuesday, the level of gamma rays stood at 0.045 microSv per hour in Bangkok, 0.042 in Chiang Mai, 0.054 in Khon Kaen, 0.068 in Ubon Ratchathani, 0.084 in Trat, 0.101 in Ranong and 0.050 in Songkhla. The radiation dose can be expressed in units of Sievert (Sv).

On average, a person is exposed to about 3.0mSv per year, of which 80 per cent, or 2.4mSv, is due to naturally-occurring sources such as background radiation, 19.6 per cent, or almost 0.6mSv, is due to the medical use of radiation and the remaining 0.4 per cent, or around 0.01mSv, is due to other sources of human-made radiation.

If people followed the OAP's guidance, they would be assured maximum safety in case of a nuclear emergency, Chaivat added.

Amnart Kusalanant, chairman of the Medical Council, discounted widespread advice to apply Betadine, a topical antiseptic, or take iodine orally.

After radiation was detected in Japan, messages spread around via social networks for Thais to apply Betadine or for pregnant women to take iodine orally, claiming that both methods could keep them safe from possible exposure if radioactive mists reached Thailand.

"Betadine is completely useless in terms of radiation risk," Amnart said.

Iodine could be beneficial but must be used strictly according to a doctor's prescription, he said, adding that expectant mothers should not use iodine in excess either.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also sought to allay public panic over the radiation leak after it was reported that 14 potassium iodine pills were sold on eBay at the rate of US$540 (Bt16,460).

WHO warned that people must consult doctors before taking such medicine and that potassium iodine could not work against some radioactive substances such as Caesium.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he had received a report that 300-400 Thais were near the nuclear power plant that had been rocked by explosions.

The Foreign Ministry was preparing assistance or evacuation, if necessary, for these Thais, he said.

Although he was not an expert in radiation, he believed the distance between Japan and Thailand should be great enough to ease people's fear of becoming exposed.

-- The Nation 2011-03-17

[exbelg]

with natural radiation, they mean the 'normal' fallout of previous used atomic bomb testings, tchernobil and other incidents, and they call it normal radiation...

[Soutpeel]

with natural radiation, they mean the 'normal' fallout of previous used atomic bomb testings, tchernobil and other incidents, and they call it normal radiation...

No they dont background radiation is exactly that....you are being bombarded by radiation every day....ie cosmic radiation, sitting l in front of your computer right now you are being exposed to radiation from your computer, change elevations ie move from sea level to altitude...increase your exposure to radiation, so you had better put your tin foil hat on...

"WHO warned that people must consult doctors before taking such medicine and that potassium iodine could not work against some radioactive substances such as Caesium"

potassium iodine only "works against" one type of radiation

[Bagwan]

The distance from Tokyo to Bangkok is about 4600 kilometres or 2860 miles. Radiation is hardly a cause for alarm - yet.

[Tywais]

sitting l in front of your computer right now you are being exposed to radiation from your computer

Not the same. There are two primary types of radiation - ionizing and non-ionizing. The ionizing type is the type from atomic/nuclear particles such as alpha, Beta, gamma (cosmic), neutron. These can be biologically destructive. Non-ionizing would be electromagnetic radiation from things like wifi, television broadcasts, even the 50/60 Hz from power lines, etc. If you are referring to CRT (cathode ray tubes) used in television and monitors, they are very low energy and well shielded at the CRT wall. If LCD - zilch.

[Payboy]

Gamma Ray Levels In Thailand 'Are Normal'

Anyway, I've washed and polished my tinfoil hat just in case OAP change their statement.

[thaiedward]

sitting l in front of your computer right now you are being exposed to radiation from your computer

Not the same. There are two primary types of radiation - ionizing and non-ionizing. The ionizing type is the type from atomic/nuclear particles such as alpha, Beta, gamma (cosmic), neutron. These can be biologically destructive. Non-ionizing would be electromagnetic radiation from things like wifi, television broadcasts, even the 50/60 Hz from power lines, etc. If you are referring to CRT (cathode ray tubes) used in television and monitors, they are very low energy and well shielded at the CRT wall. If LCD - zilch.

Thank you, Tywais.

For myself (and others), larger considerations loom before us all within the quite-near future: i.e., if there are multiple melt-downs and spent-fuel-pool conflagrations, where will the contamination spread...whether via oceanic or atmospheric currents?

We appreciate your expertise and look-forward to your updates.

Eddy

[bangon04]

Probably better to buy one of the special Amulets which safeguard you against gamma radiation. On sale now.

[drdoom6996]

One of the most ridicules topics on this site and in the newspaper. All this article does is make people worry about something that they have absolutely nothing to worry about.

[Fookhaht]

The distance from Tokyo to Bangkok is about 4600 kilometres or 2860 miles. Radiation is hardly a cause for alarm - yet.

The distance Tokyo to Bangkok is 400 miles further than Los Angeles to New York (helping to keep things in perspective). By far, the prevailing winds in Japan this time of year are westerly, north-westerly. Therefore, pretty low chance of causing problems this far away, and in this direction. The USA west coast is more in danger than Thailand at this juncture.

[tomyummer]

Thank god our special mix of pollution is used to shield our lovely country from radiation.

[Panhandler007]

Japan is sooooooooo fcuked. Not only is this a tragic situation on a human level, but also on a GLOBAL ECONOMIC LEVEL! The reactors are gnna fully meltdown! Hello!!!! SPENT FUEL RODS SITTING IN THE REACTORS!!!!!!

Is Japan gonna export parts and goods that are RADIOACTIVE.... Jpn and the world are gonna be facing a huge problem.

Europe and America are already on not so solid economic footing. this is just gonna tip everything over the edge! And CHINA with.. Their economic slowdown will trigger a collapse in their housing market.

This aint no Kansas!

Where the hells my seat-belt! I dont enjoy bumpy rides!

[Soutpeel]

Hello!!!! SPENT FUEL RODS SITTING IN THE REACTORS!!!!!!

Hello...another resident nuclear expert.. ..the spent fuel rods are not sitting in the reactors, ....The spent fuel rods are sitting in the fuel pool which is in the reactor building and is standard practice at virtually all NPS.

[Beetlejuice]

The Office of Atoms for Peace? Who the hell are they when they`re at home?

Very comforting to know that the Office of Atoms for Peace are on the ball by enlighting us about the situation and that we can all sleep content in our beds tonight without the worry that in the near future we may all die from a horrible death.

Is anyone really convinced?

[whybother]

From what I have heard, the main problem is electricity to pump in the water to cool the rods.

They are laying some electrical lines to sort that problem out. Once they have electricity, the problem will go away.

The only problem they had was that the tsunami washed the generators away.