Geiger Counters,Those 1950s-Style Devices That Measure Radiation

You don't have to be part of the tinfoil hat set to be concerned about radiation in the wind from Japan blowing to the West Coast. What's happening is frightening, but so far, experts are saying that winds will carry whatever contamination there is from Japan's nuclear reactors out to the Pacific Ocean without it reaching other countries, including the United States and Canada.

Still, there are those who do not believe and do not trust, and want to take whatever precautions they can. For some, it means buying potassium iodide tablets, or perhaps even seeking out Geiger counters, those 1950s-style devices that measure radiation.

"Iodide is selling very well in our health and personal care category," said a spokeswoman for Amazon.com on Monday. One brand, Life Extension potassium iodide tablets, 'is our top seller and just sold out this morning."

Geiger counters were also popular sellers in recent days. "Over the weekend, we did see spikes in Geiger counters and emergency preparedness kits like this one," said another Amazon.com spokesperson.

Geiger counters, which measure radiation, can be had on eBay, but in the wrong hands (which means most of ours) may be an ineffective tool. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission notes in a lesson plan for teachers that when you use a Geiger counter to determine how radioactive a substance is, you need to know what the background radiation level is so that you don't add that count to the reading of the substance you are testing. It's unlikely most of us are that expert.

You want to learn more about radiation and iodide tablets, a good place to start is at the Centers for Disease Control web site. Among the information it has about potassium iodide:

"Potassium iodide (KI) should only be taken in a radiation emergency that involves the release of radioactive iodine, such as an accident at a nuclear power plant or the explosion of a nuclear bomb. A 'dirty bomb' most likely will not contain radioactive iodine."

"A person who is internally contaminated with radioactive iodine may experience thyroid disease later in life. The thyroid gland will absorb radioactive iodine and may develop cancer or abnormal growths later on. KI will saturate the thyroid gland with iodine, decreasing the amount of harmful radioactive iodine that can be absorbed."

"Some people are allergic to iodine and should not take KI. Check with your doctor about any concerns you have about potassium iodide."

Unlike flying in an aircraft where cells are being radiated by charged particles this type of exposure (flying through a cloud of irritated dust particles) is very dangerous. Radiated debris can collect not only on the surface of clothing but be ingested by breathing them. These radiated particles get trapped in the lungs sacks and start to affecting the surrounding cells. This process can eventual cause cancer, this may take years to become evident.

I'm concerned about traveling 'anywhere' abroad now that so many threats make the rest of the planet so unfriendly. Frankly, unless there is a powerfully compelling reason to take the risk, I'm staying put! The world is no longer a safe place to travel, given the fact that at anytime, and anywhere one might be blown up, kidnapped, or exposed to lethal radiation.