Officials in Alaska say fallout from Japan’s nuclear disaster is unlikely to hit the state

FAIRBANKS — Officials said Wednesday that Alaskans have no risk yet of exposure to harmful radiation from Japan’s damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. However, new information is being assessed at the national, state and local levels, they said.

In the aftermath of last week’s 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, several nuclear reactors on Japan’s coast caught fire or were damaged by explosions, releasing radioactive materials and raising concerns about its spread worldwide.

Greg Wilkinson, public information officer with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, said Wednesday the best available information indicates no harmful radiation will reach Alaska.

According to his resources, including the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, radioactive materials from the Japanese reactors could not travel the thousands of miles without losing strength and dissipating.

Dave Gibbs, the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s emergency operations director, said he is in contact with the state’s Health and Social Services officials and will follow the department’s lead if radiation levels turn harmful.

“We’re committed to talking to each other,” he said.

Officials said Alaskans should not take potassium iodide to counter risks from exposure to any radioactive iodide released by the nuclear plants. Many stores Outside have sold out of potassium iodide supplements. The supplement can prevent radioactive iodide from collecting in and damaging the thyroid gland.

“Some Alaskans are wondering if they should be taking potassium iodide at this time. The answer is no,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, state epidemiologist, in a press release. “While potassium iodide can protect the thyroid gland from harmful radiation, it can produce adverse side effects and should only be taken if exposure to considerably elevated doses of radiation is expected to occur. At this point, there is no immediate or anticipated indication that this will happen in Alaska.”

The state is continuing to update a website with information regarding radiological preparedness at http://www.hss.state.ak.us/prepared/radiological.htm. The website contains questions and answers and resources for radiation risk information.

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