Health effects of Japan’s radiation crisis Battered by an earthquake and a tsunami, Japan now faces a third monumental problem: the release of radiation from crippled nuclear power plants. How that radiation will affect the health of the Japanese people — and the health of others around the globe — is a developing story. Recent posts on the Harvard Health Publications blog explain connections between radiation and health, explore why we fear nuclear power so much, describe what potassium iodide pills do and who needs them, and put the radiation risks in perspective.
One of the most abundant ingredients released by Japan’s failing nuclear power plants is radioactive iodine-131. It can get into the air, water, and food supply. Once in the body, iodine-131 accumulates in the thyroid gland and significantly increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Read more » |
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