Radiation Panic Check.

[Pryderi]

I'm curious if any West Coast Duers have bought potassium iodide or geiger counters since the nuclear disaster in Japan. I was listening to Thom Hartmann over the last couple of weeks and he was talking about how he bought a geiger counter when he lived in Germany shortly after Chernobyl.

Have you taken any action in fear or preparation for radiation exposure?

[proud patriot]

1. I searced 2 weeks ago for Potassium Iodide

couldn't find it anywhere except in small dosage included in a multi vitamin @ GNC.

Though the more I have learned since , I know that it is children
who need the Potassium Iodide not adults so much. it's their thyriod
that needs protection.

Thinking of Miso soup and kelp right now are the best protective options.

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. The manufacturer now has it in stock and started shipping yesterday:

http://www.anbex.com/

It's $10.00 plus $4.00 shipping.

[underseasurveyor]

3. Three times a day

Miso soup and sea vegetables :9
Love the stuff, radiation or not, it's just goooood stuff.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. After hearing about the meltdown today, I ordered some for my son.

Adults over 40 really don't need it, supposedly. I also ordered a water filtering system (used by the Red Cross in disasters) that will filter radiation particles. If anyone is interested in which one, let me know and I'll post a link. We can't survive without water.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. Pls post link or pm me.

Thanks

[in_cog_ni_to]

25. Here's a link to the water filter system and to extra filters... This company sent these to Japan

to help the citizens there.

This holds 10 Liters of water and is used all over the world in disaster areas and the ceramic filter filters radiation particles. Amazon.com was the cheapest I could find it. The filters last for 39,000 gallons. That's a LONG time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007U011G/ref=ox_ya_os_product

and the filters if you want extra:
http://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-20720-Gravidyn-Replacement-Element/dp/B0007U011Q/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_b

[JuniperLea]

17. I have a friend who works for the Red Cross...

He swears by that filter! I'm going to get one... but not because of this current disaster... we're already being steadily poisoned.

Those tablets only keep you from getting thyroid cancer... you are wide open to all the others. But I hope it brings you some peace of mind.

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. I understand about the KI tablets. They won't be used unless the government

says to use them. :) I also understand about all the other illnesses that will come if we're contaminated. Just hedging our bets and hoping for the best here. Just trying not to consume more than we have to. We're also sending our blessings to those in Japan. :(

[cliffordu]

5. I bought a lead thong.

Keepin' them swimmers safe. Ya never know.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Do you think this is funny? Something to joke about?

This could possibly end up being the largest catastrophic event in our history (IF all those plants meltdown...which looks VERY likely) and you're making light of it? Really?

[cliffordu]

7. And what would you have me do?

Set myself on fire and run around in circles???

I'm almost 60 and a couple of weeks away from living on the street. I could give a fuck.

I feel sorry for your children and grandchildren, but I got nothing but cynicism and snark from here on out.

:hi:

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. I'm sorry.

I fear for my son. His whole life is ahead of him and it's not going to be good. :( I'm sorry for your hard times. :(

[JuniperLea]

31. Oh dear...

I'm glad my kids are adults now... my oldest was born just before John Lennon was shot and I worried that his world would be terrible... they are adults now and they are strong, and strong willed... letting them "go" was the hardest thing. I'm still not completely comfortable with the whole deal and my oldest just turned 32!

Best to you and your son... he's lucky to have you... :hug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. Thank you.

He's my LIFE. As a mom yourself, I'm sure you already knew that. :hug:

[cliffordu]

39. I'm really sorry for my great niece, coming into this world any day now.

We have killed her future on hundreds of levels, and I will not ask for her forgiveness.

We don't deserve it.

[in_cog_ni_to]

40. So fucking true.

"We have not inherited the Earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children."

I am sick to death what we have done. :(

[yawnmaster]

42. every generation has its challenges, struggles and crisis...

and each generation has dealt with it.
I expect the same for my children and grandchildren.
They'll survive and thrive in their environment.

[yawnmaster]

8. that, in my opinion, is hyperbole. Largest catastrophic event in our history? really?...

I suppose depending on how you define catastrophic, event, and history you can fit it to your definition, but imo, still hype.

And I firmly believe that hyperbole is something of which one can make light.

[in_cog_ni_to]

28. It's hyperbole until it contaminates

YOUR water and YOUR air and YOUR food. Then we'll see just how hyperbolic it is. I have a son who I am worried to death about. If I want to take this as seriously as it should be taken, I will. And if a meltdown in 4 Nuclear Plants, that could possibly produce a HUGE plume that COULD reach us, isn't catastrophic, I don't know what is. :(

[buddysmellgood]

11. I thought it was funny. It's serious for the Japanese, but we're not going to have a problem here.

[JuniperLea]

14. Yes, really...

It's called a coping mechanism... You'd be wise to check it out yourself;)

Fear is deadly... and whatever we can do right now to keep that mad hound fear at leather's end is what we need to do. Taking pills isn't going to help you. It may keep you from getting thyroid cancer, but the rest of your body will be in danger of all the other cancers.

I want to die happy. Is that too much to ask?

[GReedDiamond]

21. "Die Happy"...that's the last song on my new CD...

...coming soon, so, I'm with ya on that.

PM me, and when it's released, I'll send you a copy if you like.

And I'd like that Red Cross water filter too.

[yawnmaster]

20. I'll tell you right now that the fear that is being drummed up here in the US is going to kill ...

more people than any radiation here.
Stress hormones, cortisols, are true and documented killers. (read up on it here http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm)

And I'm serious now. Life spans are reduced by all this fear. Years of life will be lost because of needless worry.

Jokes. you bet.

[a la izquierda]

32. My husband went temporarily blind...

in one eye because of stress-related, elevated cortisol levels. Talk about a horror show. He had no insurance and my first thought was MS. It was terrible. We try not to worry too much anymore. What's the point?

[Renew Deal]

24. I think your alarmist response is worse than the joke

:shrug:

[Maru Kitteh]

30. "the largest catastrophic event in our history"

So, you're thinking this.



You should try this once in a while.



This tragedy isn't about you. It's not going to hurt you.

[hunter]

9. Hard to imagine it could be worse than the crap they put on the strawberry fields around here.

Or the stuff we put in our gasoline tanks, or the microparticles in engine exhaust.

I'm feeling bad for people near the plant, especially the people working at the plant, but I'm not in any panic for my own safety.

[JuniperLea]

15. I hear ya...

We'll all get the cancer someday... the radiation sickness the Japanese will suffer is far worse, IMHO.

All that stuff you mentioned, and more, is making us sicker and sicker... this will add a little to that mass poisoning, but nothing close to the level the Japanese will feel.

[hunter]

41. My primary sources of protein as a kid...

... were fish my dad caught in Santa Monica bay and dairy products contaminated with the radioactive fallout of nuclear bomb testing. Oh, and people thought suntans were healthy.

I could save a lot of money if I learned how to cut funny things out of my skin and do the pathology reports by myself.

[yawnmaster]

10. West coaster here...

preparations in place for the eventual earthquake and loss of power, food, shelter...yes.

preparations in place because of fear of radiation exposure...no and don't plan to, as the fear is absent, as is the concern.

[JuniperLea]

16. Good for you!

West coaster here too. And I'm not going to fear this any more than I already fear the poisons we experience every day. I live very near the Port of Los Angeles... hell, it's a wonder I don't already glow awesome colors!

I'm preparing to die happy... which will involve a lot of joking around through any misery. That's how I roll.

[Generic Other]

I tried to get some on Amazon

They were all out.

[suffragette]

38. G.O. Read the info at CDC's site first.

You could do more harm than help with K.I.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp


Miso is yummy anyway and spirulina not bad in the version with apple juice and they won't hurt. Might even help in a general way since spirulina can assist with immune support, etc:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/spirulina-000327.htm

[JuniperLea]

12. Those caps are only good during a specific window of opportunity...

And they can make you deathly ill if taken incorrectly... and if you have a seafood or shellfish allergy, they can kill you in a matter of hours.

Nope. If we are doomed, we are all doomed and who the hell wants to be the sole survivor? Not me. I think it the epitome of foolishness to take those pills. But that's just me, maybe.

I'm about ready to begin spouting hilarity as a coping mechanism, though, so watch it!

[yawnmaster]

18. be careful where you spout that stuff; hilarity alergies are well documented. eom

[JuniperLea]

19. I see that!

Oh dear... this is going to be tricky!

My regular allergy pill just wore off and I had a sneezing attack! Twenty sneezes in a row! I counted them off like The Count... one sneeze, ah ha ha... two sneezes, ah haha...

I bet there's no pill for hilarity allergies... oh, wait... mushrooms would work! And if we're all going to die anyway... party on, dude!!!

[yawnmaster]

23. you know, they have something for sneezes...

snuff.
used to be used all the time.
I enjoy a good sneeze now and then.
I feel sorry for those that have to wait 20 minutes before they can sneeze again.

[JuniperLea]

29. I've heard tales of people who like to sneeze...

And those who experience something else when they sneeze too!

My allergy sneezes are pretty funny... always 20... never 10, but sometimes an even dozen... very close to each other... just enough time to catch a breath and grab a tissue and there comes the next one.

I know someone who can pinch the bridge of his nose and make himself sneeze... that's talent;)

[in_cog_ni_to]

22. You take the KI ONLY when the government tells you to. When THEY start

handing it out to the general public, that's a clue something is wrong.

[ljm2002]

33. I bought some...

...2 weeks' worth for me and my immediate family members, the day I heard of the first explosion at the plant. Because it was the only thing I knew I could do. It was inexpensive (apparently I beat the rush), and now we have it, just in case.

No taping of windows here, not for me. I figure we'll take our chances. But that could change if the thing blows sky-high.

I won't entertain / scare you with my own nightmare scenario. It's very unlikely and y'all would just make fun of me. In the meantime I am praying that my nightmare scenario does not come to pass, and rooting for those who are working to mitigate this disaster.

[Bluenorthwest]

34. Nope.

So, no, although preparedness for disaster is a constant, there is just no actual threat to us from radiation exposure from this event. No one should be taking KI in the United States because of this. Stupid to do so, really stupid.

[david13]

35. Are you kidding me? No. I could care less. I'm going to die anyway.

I just live my life. If I panic or anything of the sort, what good does it do? If this one doesn't get me, the next one will. Or an auto accident will.
So why should I pay any attention to it. It won't matter. They will just keep building them.
dc

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bvar22]

43. Thom Hartmann said he & his wife....

...would bring the Geiger Counter when they went shopping for food,
and would run it over the produce sections. They would frequently run across produce bins that would start the Geiger Counter clicking like crazy. They would avoid those foods.
Other nearby shoppers would panic,
and store management was not too fond of The Hartmanns.

Perhaps Geiger Counters will become a Shopping Necessity.

[in_cog_ni_to]

45. Of course! Now we can RENT a Geiger Counter, because, of course, they have to make money

on poisoning us, and we'll get them included in every shopping cart, at a cost. Cool!

[marions ghost]

44. Nobody's talking about the nukes

where I am. Makes me feel kinda crazy for even paying attention. So instead of panic, I'm seeing the worst kind of complacency. But I understand. It's too complex for most people and they aren't following it. If you bring it up, you're Debbie Downer.

I feel alone in even following the Japan news. Sometimes I give updates to others--they wait for input from me and then incorporate it. I'm their filter.

Do others here feel that everybody's "moved on" from Japan Nuclear Disaster (so yesterday) or are there pockets where people still seem concerned?

Wondering....wondering whether I should give up and put my head in the sand too. :shrug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. That's exactly how I was feeling yesterday. Not one mention of the Japan

disaster in the MSM. This was one day AFTER we learned one reactor was leaking plutonium! Out of sight, out of mind. However, when I turned on MSNBC this morning, I heard a report about a possible meltdown and all 6 reactors could be affected. Though I'm told by one DUer that it's impossible for all 6 reactors to be affected by this because 2 or 3 of them had been shut down PRIOR to the tsunami. SO....who do you believe and what's the actual TRUTH? That's what "I" want to know...and no one around here ever talks about the Japan disaster.

[marions ghost]

47. thanks for words

:hug: :fistbump:

Maybe we should call this the "Chernobyl Effect." As in, oh well we survived Chernobyl so how bad can it be?--The fatalism is everywhere. Majority of it seems due to ignorance but among the more intelligent, it feels more like deep denial. Yes the news reports are disturbingly contradictory and sporadic. Make me feel crazy. Right, who to believe?

Glad to know there are some still doing the vigil for Japan (& beyond). I have felt completely alone now that it's not Big News anymore. My instincts say it is still big news. I wonder how others have resolved it in their minds...how they learn to ignore.

[in_cog_ni_to]

49. I don't know how anyone can ignore this.

I think about it constantly and fear for the people in Japan (what the hell are they going to do???) and everyone else who will be affected by this. I'm having a hard time with the "Oh well, if I die I die" thinking. That's FINE for ME, but I have a son I worry to death about....HIS future....HIS health.

"We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children"

and have we left a disastrous mess for our children. :( It breaks my heart. :(

[marions ghost]

52. You'd think

the perpetrators of this crime against humanity would have some concern--The Nuclear industry deciders and their government enablers have children and grandchildren too, after all.

But they never get it. They have excellent denial capacity.

[upi402]

48. to nuke supporters, these shockers...

1) You can't make even a simple mechanical system that will not fail

2) If you think you've made a thing fool-proof, you seriously have no idea who you're dealing with


No 'Nuke-Away!', no nukes.

[marions ghost]

51. If I can see exactly

how and why it failed --so how smart are the geniuses who said it could never fail? :scared:

For a booby prize, give them all copies of The Black Swan? Seriously, they have a failure of the ability to conceptualize and forecast such a disaster. This is a massive failure of the system and a betrayal of the public trust of the highest magnitude.

[upi402]

53. 'Eyes Wide Shut' prize

...for the lot of em! When they focus only on the floodgates of cash opening, and simultaneously claim to focus on safety - there's probably a 'Booby Prize' or two to be awarded too.

[taught_me_patience]

50. I'm getting religious about sunscreen

radiation from the sun getting much stronger now that spring is here.

[Lucian]

54. Panic much?

I'm not worried about it. And you don't need Potassium Iodide. That stuff is just as dangerous as the (phantom) radiation you want to treat.

Be rational.