King County monitoring air but does not expect significant levels of radioactivity in state

From the office of the King County Executive

Experts at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Washington Department of Health do not expect significant levels of radioactivity in our state or any health risk from the nuclear reactor situation in Japan. As a precaution, federal and state agencies will continue to monitor radiation levels in the air and rain water. King County will provide links and updates on its information page as events unfold.

Pharmacies report that people are requesting potassium iodide (KI). Potassium iodide pills are used to protect against radioactive iodine that may be released in the air following a nuclear event. However, health officials say potassium iodide is only helpful under very specific conditions. The high concentration of iodine in these pills can be harmful to some people with certain allergies.

The radiation from the nuclear reactors does not pose a health threat in King County, so Public Health – Seattle and King County does not recommend purchasing or using KI. More information on KI is available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Send an email with any questions or concerns about radiation levels in Washington State.