A question about radiation and hair

[Generic Other]

The brother of a friend who was in Fukushima came home last week and was forced to shave at the airport. They kept all his luggage too. Later they came to his house and asked him to shave his head. Why were they so concerned about the hair?

Anyone care to speculate?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Lucinda]

2. Maybe checking for levels of contaminants?

:(

[Buzz Clik]

3. Did they ran a radiation scan of him first? Which airport?

Hair is one of the likely places to accumulate radiation fallout simply because it's on the top of your head. Some metals and other contaminants accumulate inside the hair cells, and it will remain there until the hair falls out or is cut off. If he was screamingly radioactive in his hair, then shaving it is a good move to protect him and others. If they didn't scan him, it was a pre-emptive move that was unnecessary.

[Generic Other]

4. I think they were monitoring everyone who was evac'd from Fukushima

Just scary that they took his beard at the airport then came for the hair after the fact. I assume they were exercising caution.

This was Sea-Tac.

Thanks for the explanation!

[RC]

5. Google doesn't seem to have anything about this.

More FUD from the usual suspects? A good head wash should be all that is necessary.

[Generic Other]

6. What exactly are you insinuating?

That I fabricated the story? I only posted here because I was concerned and interested in finding out what othersa might think. "Usual suspects"? What does that mean? Are you calling me a troll? What?

[Mojeoux]

8. Where was this? If it's not a news story yet, it should be.

[Generic Other]

12. Fukushima Evacuees Screened for Radiation (from 3/13)

Japanese health authorities confirmed that at least 22 people have been exposed to radiation following the hydrogen explosion at the plant's No. 1 reactor building early Saturday morning. Up to 160 more are suspected to have been exposed while waiting for evacuation in the nearby town of Futabe, according to Ryo Miyake, a spokesman from Japan's nuclear agency.

<snip>

Workers wearing masks and protective clothing are using handheld scanners to measure radiation on the nearly 180,000 people who have fled the 450-square mile zone.

Officials have set up evacuation centers bordering the zone and are working to establish decontamination facilities.

Depending on the level of contamination, evacuees are being advised to dispose of clothing and shower.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/japans-fukushima-nuclear-plant-health-risks-meltdown/story?id=13124657

[Generic Other]

14. Fukushima evacuees denied care over radiation concern (3/13)

HUNDREDS of people evacuated from towns and villages close to the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant are being turned away by medical clinics and shelters over fears of radioactive contagion.

Hospitals and temporary refuges are demanding that evacuees provide them with certificates confirming that they have not been exposed to radiation.

<snip>

"If someone has been contaminated externally, such as on their shoes or clothes, then precautions can be taken, such as by removing those garments to stop the contamination from getting into a hospital," he said. "That is very easy to do, but unfortunately I'm not surprised this sort of thing is happening."

Prejudice against people who live near the plant recalls the ostracism experienced by survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Many suffered discrimination when they tried to rent housing, find employment or marriage partners.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/fukushima-evacuees-denied-care-over-radiation-concern-2601963.html

[RC]

18. Did you talk to this person first hand?

No, I not calling you a troll.
What I am saying is this sounds like just another fabrication to bolster the anti-nuke hysteria. It doesn't even sound right. If it were true, don't you think there would be more like this and it would be in the news?

[Generic Other]

21. Never mind you are not worth responding to

Go find someone else to bother.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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[Generic Other]

29. Would you like me to provide death certificates for my family that died in the tsunami too?

You don't know what my situation is or that of my friends and relatives. I don't need to "prove" anything to you.

Maybe you should go find some kittens to torment.

[bananas]

41. Sorry to hear about your family, Generic Other

:hug:

[CoffeeCat]

31. I'm not anti-nuclear power...

...and I am concerned about these stories.

Radioactive mateial on people and in our air and milk supply is news.

Don't you think?

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[Generic Other]

16. Oh please!

This is not a joke to people who have friends and relatives who are effected.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

22. affected how?

by the radiation or by having hipsters for relatives

[Generic Other]

24. hahahaha my hipster relatives drowned in the tsunami (yuck it up)

funny stuff huh? A whole family with kids. And my other relatives are due south of the reactors thinking about what a funny guy you are.

[uppityperson]

39. how callous. Affected by having family and friends die, communities destroyed.

shame on you

[flamingdem]

9. You need to find out what they told him, did he test positive for anything? nt

[Generic Other]

11. Elevated radiation levels

I think all the evacuees from Fukushima have. There was news last week from other international airports reporting those travelling from Japan as having some levels. The Japanese also had people in isolation last week. I assume they were from Fukushima. I don't have a clue how they decontaminate folks.

[flamingdem]

13. They did him a favor, and everyone who lives near him, imo nt

[Generic Other]

15. No doubt

I am surprised we aren't hearing more about this type of situation. Earlier they were reporting that passengers coming to international airports from Japan were being screened for radiation. This was the first I heard of how our government agencies were dealing with the situation.

[Generic Other]

26. Japan Sets Up Team to Support Fukushima Evacuees

Apparently people from Fukushima are still needing decontamination and treatment according to this article dated March 29:

Tokyo, March 29 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government set up a special team on Tuesday to support people evacuating areas at risk from the ongoing crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s <9501> Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

The team, headed by industry minister Banri Kaieda, will ask local authorities to take in evacuees, facilitate delivery of daily necessities to areas around the crippled plant and make available more information about actual radiation leaks from the plant.

The team was set up under the special nuclear disaster taskforce, headed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama will support Kaieda as a key aide. Senior vice industry minister Tadahiro Matsushita was named head of the secretariat.

The team will also arrange decontamination work and medical treatment for residents exposed to radiation.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011032901093

[flamingdem]

34. They need to decontaminate over 1 million people

Just the 50 mile zone alone, not to mention those who were over a hundred miles away and came up radioactive on scans in airports.

[Ozymanithrax]

10. Hair grows quick and many of the contaminants your bod consumes can be found there.

For instance, you can test for the long term use of drugs or contaminants in hair. Perhaps they are concerned that the hair contains contaminants consumed and incorporated as the hair grew. In this case, the hair would contain some radioactive materials, and the longer hey sit on his head the longer he is exposed.

[hunter]

17. I wouldn't have been polite. Not at all.

Me and my stuff and all my hair would still be sitting in some TSA holding cell waiting for a lawyer carrying a dosimeter I could trust.

[uppityperson]

19. I read, sorry no link, of someone from Fukushima who was checked for radiation,

ended up clean except had a bit in his beard so he shaved it off rather than trying to keep it uncontaminated. I don't know who it was, thinking not one of the long term workers there.

I have no idea why they'd do this to someone, you say at SeaTac? A quick search shows me they are monitering planes and cargo coming into SeaTac, found this article from a few days ago

http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/local_news_articles/20110317/Health-department-says-no-radiation-risks/

March 28, 2011

Customs and Border Protection said there have been reports of radiation being detected from some cargo arriving from Japan at several airports, including Sea-Tac.

Radiation has also been detected in Chicago and Dallas.

Radiation has not been detected in passengers or luggage. And none of the reported incidents involved dangerous or harmful amounts of radiation.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Thursday the Department of Homeland Security is screening passengers and cargo for "even a blip of radiation."
...(more)

[Generic Other]

20. He was a resident living near the plant not a worker

I bet the beard story is him!

[uppityperson]

23. That could be. Sorry no link, been reading so much. did a search but nada

The story I read it sounded like he volunteered to cut it off, hard to tell who, what, etc in the confusion and all the stuff I've read.

[Generic Other]

25. I wasn't looking to verify the story anyway...I know it is true

I know the family involved. I was just curious about whether those exposed are safe.

I can't believe people feel they must call me names for posting this as some have upthread. FUCK that shit.

[CoffeeCat]

32. Your authentic situation, only magnifies...

...the point that there are people who will protect, at any costs, the interests
of big corporations. In this case, big energy companies like GE who deal in
nuclear energy.

I am sure the person who suggested that your story was not legitimate will now
move onto other threads. Busy, busy, you know...

[Mojeoux]

43. again.........this SHOULD BE A NEWS STORY ! NT

[Generic Other]

44. Similar stories have been reported elsewhere

Tokyo Passengers Trigger U.S. Airport Detectors, N.Y. Post Says
Mar 16, 2011

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-17/tokyo-passengers-trigger-u-s-airport-detectors-n-y-post-says.html

[Mojeoux]

48. The links don't mention hair removal. This IS news.

Shaved his beard AT the airport, and then called and said to shave his head. I do not doubt your OP. I think that the public has no idea this hair business is happening. I do not doubt for a sec that the forces of PR and Spin are in full force to block as much anti-nuke news as possible.

[Yo_Mama]

28. They probably wanted to test it.

Stuff he had been exposed to a few days ago would have been incorporated into the hair shafts. By testing the hair they could build up a good picture of emissions in the area by detailing his exposures. If his luggage tested contaminated and his beard/skin showed contaminated, but hair did not test very positive, then they'd know he picked up contamination later.

If his hair tests strong, they may want to have him checked out. You'd want to know this, honestly.

Japan is going through hell with everything. I don't want to kick a country when it is down. But under most countries' standards, more people would already have been evacuated, so I think worries are growing about individual's exposures.

Your friend's brother's hair will probably test low. However radioactive isotopes of iodine are used in some medical treatments, and people who get the high dosages follow special protocols to make sure they don't pass the radiation on to family members or other close contacts. Further, if for any reason he tested with higher iodine exposure, they might recommend special followups.

Some few of the evacuees from the area did show exposure levels of concern.

Best of luck to him, and my condolences on your own losses and the losses of those who are dear to you. It is a fearful tragedy.

[Generic Other]

30. Thanks for the information! This is what I was wondering

I assume once they decontaminated, he would be fine. I think the beard hair did test higher. Very hairy guy.

This was last week, when they evac'd Fukushima. I suspect he is going to be fine. But still a bit scary.

And thanks for not just belittling me for daring to ask.

[Yo_Mama]

33. I thought it was a good question!!!

I found this out by accident. It turns out that they can section hair into tiny pieces and create chronological picture of exposures.

[bananas]

42. He should ask his doctor to investigate.

They went to his house, there should be a record of that, and a record of why they went to his house - what levels they tested him at, etc.
What did they do with his hair and beard? Did they just throw it out or bag it and label it?

[flamingdem]

36. I don't think htey can handle evacuating a million right now

On the hair analysis, that must be how they knew the workers dose when they stepped in the water?

[flamingdem]

35. Alpha particles are not our friends, wash if you've been in the rain, leave shoes outside door

No open cuts use bandages, umbrellas should be used, no playing in puddles.

From now until.. tests come out clean / forever, whichever happens first.

[Generic Other]

37. wash if you've been in the rain?

Poor poor Pacific Northwest. You just doubled the amount of time we are going to spend getting wet. I wonder if a tinfoil umbrella will protect me?

[flamingdem]

38. I got this info from a scientist! Don't know how accurate it is

but this is what they say, granted for a worse situation but ours appears to be worsening so it may be a glimpse of what to do if you are anal about radiation, many will not be. I mean some people smoke cigarettes, some get radiated for cancer, so your mileage may vary.

[Festivito]

40. Ions of nuclear particles attract to static charges, thus hair and plastic (e.g. polyester).

Your hair as well as your blue jeans (polyester and cotton) will attract the ionized particles that then glom onto cloths and ... hair.

In case anyone is still listening.

[flamingdem]

45. Does that mean I have to stop wearing polyester pantsuits, nooooo! nt

[Festivito]

47. Restrict yourself to lime green leisure suits.

What day is this?

[flamingdem]

46. Bald people will instantly become more sexy in our radiated future nt