On March 15 Experts Said Indonesia Was Safe From ‘Radioactive Rain’ - Still True?

[Turborama]

For those who don't know, I live in Indonesia and my wife is now 17 weeks pregnant, so this is a question I am asking out of personal concern. A lot of things have changed since the article below was written and after reading http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x740054">PCIntern's OP about the escalation I started getting worried again.

If anyone out there can offer some insight into the likelihood of dangerous amounts of radiation getting this far it'd be gratefully received.

Experts Say Country Safe From ‘Radioactive Rain’
Ismira Lutfia | March 15, 2011

Indonesian scientists gave assurances on Monday that there was no need for people here to worry about radiation leaking from a nuclear power plant in Japan.

Djarot Wisnubroto, deputy for nuclear technology development at the National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan), said Japan was simply too far away for possible radioactive dust to have an impact on Indonesia.

While the radiation resulting from a system failure at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, 240 kilometers north of Tokyo, might adversely affect those in close proximity to the reactor, he said those in areas further away were not in any danger.

“It is too insignificant to affect Indonesia, which lies thousands of kilometers away from Japan,” he told the Jakarta Globe.

Full article: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/radioactive-dust-wont-reach-indonesia-scientist/428855

[PCIntern]

1. I suppose it all would have to do with the winds...

You'll all be OK...

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Air tends to travel roughly in horizontal bands around the globe.

I think you're way safer being due south of Japan than anyone is who happens to lie directly west, although we get roundly scolded any time we raise even the slightest bit of concern here on the West Coast.

[Turborama]

3. Thanks for that info.

Is Japan in the Westerlies portion, then?

I sure hope so, because if it's n the Trade Winds section that arrow is pointed right at us.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. Everything I've seen indicates that the prevailing winds blow directly East off Japan.

Congratulations, by the way. Believe me, I understand where you're coming from. Becoming a parent gives a whole new definition to the word "worry".

I think it's going to be OK, however, at least for people a ways away from the immediate area.