Radiation Fears: Sites to Access for Information!

Australians were shocked by the  visual images of the  earthquake and tsunami that struck on 11 March 2011 and damaged a number of nuclear reactors on the east coast of Japan resulting in  the release of radioactive contaminants to the atmosphere.

Regardless of the  area of healthcare in which you work, you may  be asked questions by your family, friends or clients about radiation.The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) provides  interesting information via their Media Release Update  and  ARPANSA web site.
People are also being encouraged to  visit http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/ and read the travel advice and the travel bulletin for Australians in or returning from Japan.
Addtionally,  on 3rd of April 2011  the    website  has information  regarding   
.Advice on exposure to radiation
.Advice for Australians remaining in Japan on food and water precautions, the availability and use of potassium iodide tablets and on appropriate sheltering from radiation if required
According to the website;
 .ARPANSA and the Department of Health and Ageing are recommending , as a precautionary measure, that Australians within an 80 km zone from the Fukushima nuclear power plant move out of the area.
.Australians returning home from Japan are highly unlikely to be contaminated or exposed to significant radiation and will not require checks for radioactivity. However, if people wish to seek medical advice they should contact their local GP.
.ARPANSA and the Chief Medical Officer advise that iodine tablets are only required when exposed to substantial radiation doses from radioactive iodine.
There is no current need for those returning from Japan or those in Japan outside the Exclusion Zone to consider the use of potassium iodide tablets at this time.