Why Not To Freak Out About Radiation From Japan

http://www.psychology-advice.net/why-not-to-freak-out-about-radiation-from-japan

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■FAQs About Radiation and potassium iodide

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/RadiationFAQS2011.aspx?loc=interstitialskip

Q. Should I be taking potassium iodide to protect myself?
A. No. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems.

Q. Should I purchase potassium iodide as a precaution?
A. No. Potassium iodide is only appropriate within a very close proximity to a nuclear event. Using potassium iodide when inappropriate could have potential serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Please note that the people who may be saved by taking potassium iodide right now are the people who are near the disaster-struck area and close areas in East Japan, not the people in the U.S. who are far away from there.