Since eastern europe and russia, and perhaps other locations, are vulnerable to meltdown because of malfunction, and pressure to keep running because the local population is going to freeze to death without power, what are the effects on us of radiation and fallout if they DO meltdown?

Large scale fallout will get to us. Does that mean our milk and crops are declared off limits to consumption? Will our metal objects start getting radioactive? A couple sloppy meltdowns will change our situation here even though they happen "over there".

I heard Iodized salt was an ok substitute for potassium dioxide, which they use for radiation poisoning. Is that correct?

Since there are 60 subs moored in water in russia that are dependent on local electrical supplies to keep thier reactors cooling, what happens if one or more or ALL lose thier power source and go into meltdown while being surrounded with water???

That means what? the radioactive steam blankets our hemisphere?

Again, what is the sensible and possible prep I can make here for a fallout situation? It is reasonable to assume the worst about this issue. No one is saying the russians are on top of this. And wont be dumb like we are so prone to being.

On a side note, all along the california coast as you know, many towns and cities are named after saints and so on. LA means city of angels, ect. The only place that is called "devil" anything is devils canyon, where they built a nuke plant and found out in the last decade that it right on a fault line. Call me superstitious, but I dont like that.

-- billburke (bill52@rocketmail.com), October 06, 1999

Answers

I think that is -potassium IODINE or something instead of potassium dioxide. I hope some of you have some info or opinions on this.

-- billburke (bill52@rocketmail.com), October 06, 1999.

Leska time to repost your shelter in place info (SIP).

EC

-- EC (JHnck1776@aol.com), October 06, 1999.

---

You may find Potassium Iodate cheaper somewhere else, but Major Surplus is quick and reliable.

---

Major Surplus - 800-441-8855 - 24/hr order line

"Medical Corps" Potassium Iodate - #11-3787 - 100 tablet bottle

recommended dosage is 1 tablet per day per adult (one-half for child)

single bottle price is $29.95

two bottles or more is $24.95

(order plenty if you think you might need it)

-- no talking please (breadlines@soupkitchen.gov), October 06, 1999.

Potassium iodide is not hard to get. Do a web search and mail order it, or order some from your pharmacist. Sold OTC in Canada (Swiss brand) under dietary-supplement guidelines. Also easy to do a web search on fallout shelter design, etc. There's lots of material. Other good resources are the SAS Handbook, which has a chapter on this, or the links from archives at garynorth.com .

-- PH (ag3@interlog.com), October 06, 1999.

"POTASSIUM IODATE
"150 mg Tablets

"Potassium Iodate is a superior form of KI (buffered Iodine) and carried only by Medical Corps. Each factory sealed bottle contains 100 fresh tablets of Potassium Iodate 150mg.

"The shelf life of Potassium Iodate is exceptional and should last a generation. Because of the extra molecule of oxygen in Iodate, Medical Corps can guarantee Iodate's stability without adding stabilizers.

"Medical Corps recommends that each family member should have at least one bottle in their emergency kit. KI is the only known chemical available on the market which will shield (or block) the Thyroid and prevent it from absorbinb radioactive Iodine.

"Unlike other blockers, Medical Corps' stock is NOT government surplus 130 mg tablets. It is also chewable and especially recommended for children because our youngsters are extremely susceptible to thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive contamination.

"Remember, be it a spill, accident, war or terrorism, Potassium Iodate is the only chemical which will protect you and your children. For those who are interested, it can be used for your pets also.

"1 Bottle = 100 150mg pills.
"Use during a Nuclear Emergency ONLY
* For the first 14 days take 1 tablet twice a day. This is a total of 2 tablets per day.
* For the next 76 days take 1 tablet per day.

"Potassium Iodate 150mg is a superior form of "KI" because of its extended shelf life and lack of bitter taste. The extra molecule of oxygen in Potassium Iodate 150mg (actually K103), can guarantee the Iodate's continued freshness without adding stabilizers. Keep the bottle sealed, dry, and out of sunlight. It should remain stable for a generation.

"Why should it be used?
"During a Nuclear Disaster, such as War, Terrorism, a MeltDown or Spill, great amounts of Radioactive Iodine-131 are often released. Even though I-131 is radioactive, it is still Iodine ... and Iodine is what the Thyroid requires to operate correctly. The Thyroid does not know the difference between "good" iodine and "bad" iodine and will readily absorb Radioactive 131 if allowed to. What must be done in case of a nuclear accident is to SATURATE the Thyroid with the good Iodine so that the bad iodine cannot do irreparable damage. The blocking must be done on a daily basis at least 12 hours BEFORE the nuclear emergency starts and it must be continued for at least 80 days. [???]

"Medical Corp"

"Medical Corps is an organization of retired United States Armed Forces personnel united to bring to the citizenry of the nation education and training in survival and emergency medical techniques.

"Ralph Charles "Chuck" Fenwick is the founder and chief administrator of Medical Corp.

Address label on bottle:
"Medical Corps
45161 State Route 821
Caldwell, OH 43724

"New Important Information
[ the guy said for the last year, and the military is switching over to Postassium Iodate. He told us some info that we KNOW is not true, so we're being cautious ]

"New Thyroid Blocking Power
Did anyone besides Medical Corps understand what it means to have 100 suitcase Atomic Bombs unaccounted for by the former Soviet Union? Or maybe it is just a coincidence, but the US Government has instituted an NBC crash training program for emergency medical personnel in 120 cities nation wide! Medical Corps is involved with just that sort of training and has been for two years. One of the emergency procedures being taught is the use of the Thyroid Blocker called KI. This is the only chemical which will protect a human from absorbinb Radioactive Iodine 131. Iodine 131 is deadly and is especially toxic to children.

"Medical Corps now carries a superior form of KI. In the past we have marketed Potassium Iodide 150mg. Now we can offer a new product called Potassium Iodate 150mg.

"Medical Corps carries this superior form of KI. Potassium Iodate has an extra molecule of Oxygen which makes it more shelf stable than Iodide or Iodine. It is not as bitter as Potassium Iodide and can be chewed. Unlike the government surplus 130mg Iodide, Medical Corps chose the 150mg strength, as this will extend the thyroid blocking.

The store is called "American Family Network," and their website is at
http://www.americanfamilynetwork.com

Helps if your browser can see/use frames.

Medical Corp:
http://www.medicalcorp.org

Can get KI at Emergency Essentials.
Get your supply now! Don't wait.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), October 06, 1999.

http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000vWc

Shelter In Place: Make Your Kits

Shelter In Place

aka SIP

[ Courtesy of ECHO Caer Group, Emergency Communications for Hazardous Operations, taught through the Portland, Oregon Fire Dept Training Center ]

[ For Educational Purposes ]

"There may be a time when an emergency takes place in your community due to an airborne toxic chemical release. The outside air quality may be affected to the point that it is not safe to be outside or evacuate. In a case like this it is usually safer to shelter-in-place until wind disperses and moves the toxic chemical away.

NOTIFICATION

Many, but not all, facilities (chemical/industrial plants) and emergency vehicles have alarm, siren, horn, or similar notification devices or systems. A three to five minute continuous signal means:

"Turn on TV or radio. Listen for essential emergency information."

These various signal devices may use different tones. The key is that they will be continuously activated for three to five minutes. If you hear this signal go inside immediately and turn on your radio or TV.

For Airborne toxic chemical releases the safest immediate action is to shelter-inplace while listening for further instructions.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

1. Move inside immediately and turn on radio or TV for emergency information.
Proceed right away to:

2. Close all windows and doors.

3. Turn off ventilation systems. Remember heating, cooling, air pumps, bathroom fans, kitchen fans, oven/stove ventilation fans, dryer exhaust, chemney/fireplace vents, etc.

4. In buildings, go into and seal a room if possible.

5. Continue to listen to radio or TV for further instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS

Go inside the nearest structure such as a home, school, store, public building. Bring pets inside if practical. If indoors already, stay there. Turn on radio or TV for emergency information. If you are in a vehicle, close all windows, manual vents and ventilation systems.

In a structure:
Shut all windows, doors, chimney or fire place vents. This includes everything that can quickly and easily be closed to prevent the chemical from entering.

Turn off forced air heating or cooling systems. Turn of stove and bathroom exhaust fans.

Go into a room, preferably with no, or few, windows or outside air vents. If possible seal doors, windows, vents, etc. with plastic and tape or wet rags.

Continue to listen to the radio or TV on a local emergency alert system station until the emergency is over or until you are given instruction to evacuate. (Use a battery powered radio if the power is off.)

SHELTER IN PLACE PRE-PLANNING

It is important that you have a plan for your home or business for sheltering-in-place. Some key steps in this plan are:

* Knowing what doors and windows are likely to be open and assigning some one to check and close and LOCK them. Locking seals better.

* Knowing where the manual vents are and how to close them.

* Knowing where forced air heating or cooling controls/power exhaust vents are and how to turn them off.

* Knowing what room you will go to and how to seal it. Have a kit pre-prepared for this consisting of things such as plastic sheeting, strong tape, duct tape, rags, towels, water, snacks, etc.
Pre-cut the plastic to completely seal all windows and doors and any vents in your designated shelter room. With easy-to-see large labels, clearly mark on the plastic which opening/window/door/vent it fits.

* Have a radio (preferably two). Have one electric and one battery operated radio in the room you've identified. Know the emergency alert system station(s) for your area and have the station numbers written on a piece of tape attached to the radio.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Most chemical release incidents are short-term in nature. But for any potential emergency situation, always keep an adequate supply of contained food and water sources, flashlights, first aid kit, batteries, a portable radio, essential medicines and other essentials. Practice safety drills to be prepared and know the emergency plans for your workplace and schools.

WHAT TO DO IN A CHEMICAL EMERGENCY (SHELTER-IN-PLACE)

When a release or spill is identified, some chemical plants dispatch trained emergency responders to quickly assess the situation and plan an approrpiate response. If offsite impacts are possible, local response agencies (Emergency Management Agency, Fire Department, etc) are contacted and consulted with. The local response agencies will then decide what actions, if any, are necessary to protect the surrounding community.

[ Note: these instructions were not written with Y2K in mind, when communications may be overwhelmed or out and emergency responders completely overwhelmed. ]

Sheltering inside a building is considered to be a proven method of protecting yourself and your family in the event of an accidental release.

IF ASKED TO SHELTER IN PLACE

* Close all doors to the outside and close and lock all windows (windows sometimes seal better when locked);

* Turn off ventilation systems;

* Monitor the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station for updates and remain in shelter until authorities indicate it is safe to come out.

Select a room in the building where occupants can be the most comfortable and which is easy to seal off. This room should, if possible, provide access to water, toilet facilities, and adequate room for people to sit or lie down. The room should have a battery-powered radio, snack foods, and bottled water.

Many people opt for the master bedroom area with bathroom.

If the gas or vapor is soluble or even partially soluble in water -- hold a wet cloth or handkerchief over your nose and mouth if the gases start to bother you. For a higher degree of protection, go into the bathroom, close the door, and turn on the shower in a strong spray to "wash" the air. Seal any openings to the outside of the bathroom as best as you can. Don't worry about running out of air to breathe. That is highly unlikely in normal homes and buildings.

Be sure to make Shelter-In-Place kits, with pre-cut, marked heavy plastic and strong tape to seal your closed doors, windows, vents, exhaust systems -- anywhere anything from outside could get in. Keep your kit accessible in the designated room. Make sure all members of the family know what the kit is for, how to use it, and why. Drill and practice Sheltering-In-Place.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), October 06, 1999.

"Again, what is the sensible and possible prep I can make here for a fallout situation? It is reasonable to assume the worst about this issue. No one is saying the russians are on top of this. And wont be dumb like we are so prone to being."

See:

http://www.oism.org/nwss/

-- de (delewis@XOUT.inetone.net), October 06, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Here's a list of some additional ideas of things to include in a shelter room.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpaged), October 06, 1999.

Hope this link works, found it entirely by accident, wasn't even looking. Heaven's Speed. http://www.beeline.ca/find/survival/Books/Doomsday/default.htm

-- Nana (drac@mediaone.net), October 06, 1999.

According to Kresson Kearney, in his book "Nuclear War Survival Skills", iodized salt is no substitute for potassium iodide. You would kill yourself trying to ingest enough salt to get sufficient iodine into your system. Don't even try it.

-- Bill (billclo@msgbox.com), October 06, 1999.

More later.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 10, 1999.