Survival

1.  How to Survive Nuclear Attack - what you need to know

2.  Fukushima radioactive water release & fish you eat

3.  US Cities Russia Strikes First - Yes, Hawaii, We're A Target

How to Survive Nuclear Attack – what you need to know 

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) reports a North Korean missile can reach Hawaii in 20 minutes. After U.S. Pacific Command warns HEMA a missile is on its way, 12 to 15 minutes left to warn the public. 

At or near ground zero you will be killed instantly. If far enough away you're not incinerated, what you do in next 10 to 15 seconds could save your life.  

Flash of light brighter than anything you've ever seen and feels hot as the sun, that's how it's described. Approximately 35% of energy of a nuclear blast is released as thermal radiation (heat). First to hit you is a flash of blinding light and heat. Protect your eyes. The light causes flash blindness, temporary vision loss up to 13 miles away on a clear day. A Hiroshima survivor described seeing military observers who watched the bomb drop, their eyes melted, dripped from their sockets. People not in the blast zone can be killed or injured by third-degree burns as far as 5 miles away. Temperatures near the Hiroshima blast are estimated to have been 540,000 degrees Fahrenheit, about 300 times hotter than temperatures to cremate bodies.

Department of Homeland Security advises, if you see the flash or have warning before the blast, take shelter immediately. Experts say that's one simple thing that could increase odds of survival. Nothing will keep you safe from a direct hit. But if you're far enough from the center of explosion, find any shelter to shield you from flying glass, falling objects, and falling buildings. Shock waves can burst glass as far as 10 miles away from the blast. Shattered glass can act like shrapnel. The next thing to do, if you're not in immediate danger, is move to safer shelter or as far underground as possible, because after the explosion comes the fallout.

About 15 minutes after the blast, fallout reaches the ground. If you're outside get as far away as you can in those 10 to 15 minutes. Seek shelter before fallout descends.

In a nuclear explosion, thousands of tons of dirt, debris, whatever is incinerated, forced up to the atmosphere in a giant mushroom cloud, will fall as radioactive ash as wind pushes the cloud from the blast site. Deadliest are radioisotopes created by splitting atoms. They emit gamma radiation which can cause radiation sickness and death. Long-term effects include thyroid disease and cancer. Fallout is most dangerous the first 48 hours. This radiation decays fairly rapidly. After 2 weeks, radiation from the explosion is about 1% of initial level. It's important to take shelter immediately to keep from being exposed to high doses of radiation after the explosion. A car will not protect from radiation. You cannot outrun fallout carried by high-altitude winds at 100 mph. Streets will be filled with debris, wreckage, accidents caused by panicked drivers. Best chance for survival is find shelter.

Structures of wood or plaster will not shield much radiation. Look for a building made of brick or concrete with few or no windows. Stay in the center of the building or basement. Stay inside at least 48 hours. Phone service and electric power may be out. Hand-cranked radio is good to have to receive emergency information. Survivalists recommend potassium iodide pills for protection from radiation. That may give false sense of security. Potassium iodide only protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine. It does not protect from other types of radiation, does not protect other parts of your body. After a nuclear bomb, the biggest risk is exposure to other types of radiation. Best protection is find shelter. Potassium iodide is to protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine in people under age 40 and for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Adults over 40 have lower risk of developing thyroid cancer and may have health conditions that increase risk of harmful effects from potassium iodide.

Fukushima radioactive water release & fish you eat

Japan began releasing “treated” radioactive wastewater, from wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, into the Pacific Ocean, August 24, 2023.

March 11, 2011, a massive, 9.1-magnitude earthquake and 2 tsunami waves hit the nuclear power plant. The cooling systems were destroyed causing meltdown of three nuclear reactors. Ocean water was pumped in to cool the dangerous melted fuel. This continues, more than 12 years later, producing more than 130 tons of contaminated water everyday. With more than 1.3 million tons of radioactive wastewater accumulated in storage tanks at the plant, Japanese government said space is running out, they have to release the water into the Pacific Ocean incrementally over next 30 to 40 years. Could take longer as wastewater continues to be produced. Owner/operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the Japanese government, and international agencies say they conducted tests of the filtering process for decontaminating the water. They say it's safe.

Neighboring countries are alarmed, including China, South Korea, and Pacific island nations that suffered from decades of nuclear testing. They and environmentalists say data is not sufficient or conclusive the water will be harmless. The National Association of Marine Laboratories (more than a hundred member labs) oppose the wastewater release, citing “lack of adequate and accurate scientific data supporting Japan's assertion of safety.”

Some American scientists warn that marine life and ocean currents can carry radioactive isotopes (radionuclides) across the entire Pacific Ocean.

Dr. Robert Richmond, director of Kewalo Marine Laboratory at University of Hawaii cited studies that show radionuclides and debris from the Fukushima accident were detected more than 5,000 miles away off the coast of California.

National Geographic reported, “radionuclides could be carried by ocean currents, especially cross-Pacific Kuroshio current. Marine animals that migrate great distances could also spread them. One 2012 study cites 'unequivocal evidence' that Pacific bluefin tuna carrying Fukushima-derived radionuclides reached the San Diego coast within 6 months of the 2011 accident.”

[Learn about Geiger counter Dr. D uses - see below]

Dr. Richmond warned that phytoplankton, basis of the food chain for all marine life, can capture radionuclides and be ingested and accumulate up the food chain by fish, marine mammals, humans. The ocean is filled with microplastics that do this too.

Other sources of radioactivity in the oceans include past nuclear weapons tests; currently ongoing discharges from other nuclear power plants worldwide, and nuclear submarines.

Dr. Ken Buesseler, at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, questioned the effectiveness of the wastewater filtration system at eliminating all radioactive elements. He said the tanks contain varying levels of radioactive isotopes such as cesium-137, strontium-90, and tritium.

The filtration system cannot remove tritium which can be harmful when ingested. TEPCO revealed the wastewater will be diluted with seawater until it contains lower tritium levels than tritium released “by other nuclear power stations both in Japan and around the world.” Think about that.

Dr. Buesseler said the filtration system has not yet “been shown to be effective all of the time.” There are some “highly concerning elements . . . they have not been able to clean up,” such as cesium and strontium-90, known as “bone seeker” because it increases risk of bone cancer and leukemia.

[Learn about the Geiger counter Dr. D uses - see below]

Dr. Rudolf Wu, professor of environmental science at Education University of Hong Kong said continuous exposure to low concentrations does pose a risk.

Japan says it plans to test fish and other seafood daily for tritium and radiation-caused abnormalities in ocean areas around the plant. Dr. Richmond says extensive monitoring does not actually lessen health risks. He said, “It's the same thing as saying, 'I'm gong to smoke 3 packs of cigarettes a day, but I'm not worried because I'm gonna get a chest X-ray every year.” That's monitoring. When X-ray finds lesion in your lung, monitoring did not protect you. “You've got cancer.”

Japan's release of radioactive Fukushima water began August 24. It's too early yet for it to get to us by ocean currents and migrating fish. 

I bought a Geiger counter and tested fish in a local supermarket. At this time readings are okay.

If you want a Geiger counter for peace-of-mind that fish you eat is okay or to test sea food you buy for your family or eat in restaurants, the one I bought and use, is pocket-size, can be carried discretely with you. See below for more information & to buy at discount price.

Radiation readings may be okay now, but as more and more water is released into the ocean for the next 30 to 40 years, you may want to be vigilant.

A ranking of “top 5 Geiger Counters” tested 19 popular Geiger counters with help from 8 experts. Number 3 was GQ GMC 300E Plus, ranked “Best for Budget Conscious Users.” This is 300E Plus (not 300E). The 300E PLUS is the Geiger counter I bought because it's economical and “has everything that a Geiger counter must have.” Manufactured by US company, GQ Electronics; small and compact. Large LCD display and large font. See below for info & discount price.

Readings in uSv/h, Mr/h, and CPM. I use CPM (clicks per minute) which is easy to understand and use. Keep the small card that comes with it: “Nuclear Radiation Safety Guide” to quickly determine when something is safe or not safe.

Rechargeable battery.

Detects beta and gamma radiation. Cesium 137 emits gamma and beta radiation. Strontium 90 and tritium emit beta radiation.

300E Plus     (not 300E). The 300E Plus is currently: $99.98  (regular price: $139; save $39.02). The company told me sales tax is included in $99.98. $10 shipping. So total price: $109.98. No additional charge.

For peace-of-mind; vigilance for your health & safety; or gift for someone who has everything; more info or to purchase click link below↓ 

https://www.gqelectronicsllc.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4570&idAffiliate=7422

If you purchase by clicking the link, I may get a small commission to help support this blog.

US Cities Russia Strikes First – Yes, Hawaii, We're a Target

I subscribe to Newsweek. David Brennan, diplomatic correspondent on world politics and conflicts in NATO, EU, Russia-Ukraine War, reported Russian President Vladimir Putin, after winning Russia's recent presidential election, told reporters a direct clash between Russia and NATO would put the world “one step away from a full-scale World War III.” Brennan reported, “There is no indication that a nuclear confrontation between NATO and Russia is imminent.” But Putin warned, “Everything is possible in the modern world.” The Federation of American Scientists estimates Russia has around 5,580 nuclear weapons. That's more than enough for “top metro targets.” Due to a “mix of political, military, and industrial value,” these tend to be, but not limited to: Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Houston, Miami, Las Vegas, Denver.

“A Russian nuclear strike on the US homeland would look to decapitate American political and military leadership, sever vital command and control communication channels, nullify as many nuclear assets as possible, and devastate key industrial and commercial zones.” For more US targets, read, “Map Shows US Cities Russia Would Strike First if War Broke Out,” by David Brennan in Newsweek.

Brennan wrote, “Key radio transmitter facilities would serve as vital channels of communication to American nuclear ballistic missile submarines, which would be tasked with launching retaliatory strikes on Russian cities.” Those submarines are part of America's nuclear triad. “The Jim Creek Naval Radio Station in Washington state and the Lualualei very low frequency transmitter in Hawaii would likely be top targets in this respect.” Yes, Hawaii, that's Lualualei in Nanakuli on Oahu.