Nuclear event in Japan continues to pose no health risk in Washington; state monitoring

Spokane, Wash., March 16, 2010 -- Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is in contact with the state Department of Health (DOH) as it conducts ongoing air monitoring for radiation to see if the nuclear plant incident in Japan has affected radiation levels in Washington. There have been no elevated readings. 

DOH Radiation Protection staff expect no public health risk in Washington, and the monitoring is precautionary. If the situation changes in Washington, SRHD and the Department of Health will inform the public. 

State health officials are also monitoring ongoing events in Japan and are in contact with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Environmental Protection Agency. An explosion took place at the Japan reactor site Saturday. 

The nuclear plant incident in the wake of the earthquake in Japan has raised concerns among some people in Washington about windblown radiation coming to our state. Air sample readings in our state remain normal. The Department of Health Radiation Protection Program doesn't expect any change in environmental measurements taken in Washington. 

Even in the event of a significant release from the reactor, radiation would be diluted before reaching Washington state and levels would be so low no protective action would be necessary. SRHD remains in contact with the state health department as its monitoring work and the situation in Japan continues to develop and change.

This is a great opportunity to double check that you and your loved ones are prepared for an emergency, visit the SRHD Emergency Preparedness page by clicking here. 

Or for more information, please visit the DOH website by clicking here, or visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site by clicking here.