Radiation Fear Also Rises in Korea# Stock
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http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2011/03/17/radiation-fear-al
Associated Press
An arriving air passenger from Japan passes through a scanner to check radiation level at Incheon International Airport on Thursday.
As Japan struggles with the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex, fear that radiation leakage will spread across the region is rising in South Korea as well as China and elsewhere. Here, authorities have tried to keep the worries from getting out of hand.
The Korean Pharmaceutical Association issued a statement late Wednesday after pharmacists reported surge in inquiries about iodine tablets, which can be taken to limit the damage that radiation can cause on the thyroid.
The association said such worries were unwarranted at the moment. It noted that high levels of iodine are needed and that there are complications, such as allergic reactions in some people. “Further, it is said that there is no chance of radioactive material reaching Korean soil, so taking high amounts of iodine may end up being harmful,” the association said.
“There is no need to purchase iodine (pills) based on vague fears about radiation from Fukushima; if (citizens are) concerned about exposure to radiation, it would be better to increase the intake of foods with a lot of iodine such as kelp, seaweed and dried laver rather than taking iodine pills,” the pharmaceutical association said.
The Korean group noted that some Koreans were getting information about radiation and iodine through incomplete postings on the Internet. There were also rumors spread online Tuesday that Korea may get hit with radiation exposure, which some authorities think may have contributed to a drop in stock prices that day.
South Korean government officials have said the country is safe from radiation. However, the government is strengthening radiation tests on livestock and fishery product imports from Japan. At Incheon International Airport, the country’s largest, visitors from Japan will be offered voluntary screening for radiation starting today.
Associated Press
An arriving air passenger from Japan passes through a scanner to check radiation level at Incheon International Airport on Thursday.
As Japan struggles with the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex, fear that radiation leakage will spread across the region is rising in South Korea as well as China and elsewhere. Here, authorities have tried to keep the worries from getting out of hand.
The Korean Pharmaceutical Association issued a statement late Wednesday after pharmacists reported surge in inquiries about iodine tablets, which can be taken to limit the damage that radiation can cause on the thyroid.
The association said such worries were unwarranted at the moment. It noted that high levels of iodine are needed and that there are complications, such as allergic reactions in some people. “Further, it is said that there is no chance of radioactive material reaching Korean soil, so taking high amounts of iodine may end up being harmful,” the association said.
“There is no need to purchase iodine (pills) based on vague fears about radiation from Fukushima; if (citizens are) concerned about exposure to radiation, it would be better to increase the intake of foods with a lot of iodine such as kelp, seaweed and dried laver rather than taking iodine pills,” the pharmaceutical association said.
The Korean group noted that some Koreans were getting information about radiation and iodine through incomplete postings on the Internet. There were also rumors spread online Tuesday that Korea may get hit with radiation exposure, which some authorities think may have contributed to a drop in stock prices that day.
South Korean government officials have said the country is safe from radiation. However, the government is strengthening radiation tests on livestock and fishery product imports from Japan. At Incheon International Airport, the country’s largest, visitors from Japan will be offered voluntary screening for radiation starting today.