Rainwater/drinking water/food...
I'm not an expert in any of this, just a very concerned mom, so please forgive me if I'm asking something that has already been addressed. We live in Ridgefield, WA, which is about 20 min north of Portland, OR. I have been looking up data for Oregon, and can't seem to find a lot of current data for rainwater/drinking water. Should the schools be letting our kids go out on recess every day, since it's in our rainwater and rains pretty much every day? Nobody seems to be concerned about this, and the news is worthless. Nothing is being reported anymore, as if it's a non issue. I'm concerned about everything from rain to drinking water to the food my kids eat, and there is simply no info out there. Is there a good place to look up accurate, current readings for my area?
Thank you
Laurie
Stop drinking milk and using dairy products.
This might be a good time for everyone to stop using milk and dairy products to see what happens. My family's life changed when we stopped all cow's milk and products made from cow's milk. You have to read all labels and eliminate all ingredients made from milk including casein, whey, and everything that ends in -ose (as in lactose).
One of the several amazing results of no cow's milk and its products for me is that all my pollen allergies and sensitivity to animal dander disappeared. (All except Monterey pine pollen and grasses -- I solved those allergies by giving up honey -- my dad, an entomologist who specialized in honey bee research, had always said that all the pollens in honey are never filtered out.) Try it -- you have nothing to lose except perhaps not ingesting some radioactive materials.
And forget worrying about your bones. There is lots of research out there that proves that people who live in the areas of the world with the highest consumption of dairy products have the highest rates of osteoporosis.
there is some real good
there is some real good advice there, dairy products are bad for your health. but the odds are high that the almighty calcium myth will rear its' ugly head here. soymilks and nutmilks are all fortified with all the vitamins, so nutrition isn't a problem.
who let the dog out, who who
I also live in WA and have
I also live in WA and have the same concerns with you. Hope we can get some answers here.
Susan
Hi Susan: Where do you guys
Hi Susan: Where do you guys live? Are you taking any precautions? I couldn't believe how many moms were buying milk just yesterday. Either people are very uninformed, or I'm overreacting, which is possible, as I've always been a worrier.
Laurie
Here is one perspective
http://www.euractiv.com/en/health/radiation-risks-fukushima-longer-negli...
Thery site French report which says, among other things, that levels in Europe are less tan those reported in the US. The EPA has reported levels of radiation in milk, water, air and the UC Berkeley team has found it in grass, spinach, mushrooms etc.
At the link they report that it is recommended for children, infants and pregnant women not to drink milk or leafy vegetables (and one site says soft and goat cheese) where the radiation is concentrated, but that going in the rain and air is not likely to expose one to any harm.
In Korea when the plumes came in rain they kept their children indoors at recess and even closed many schools for a day or so until the rain passed. (They had, I believe, blown around the world to Korea over us).
In any event, the consensus of the team here at UC Berkeley (I am not one of the team) is that NO precautions are necessary due to the tiny amounts they are detecting on the west coast.
Many here disagree and feel precautions are in order . The BRAWM team say they are not health physicists and are reluctant to give any advice really that any amounts shown here are anything more than remotely worrisome, even for kids. But their analyses comes down on the side of "dont worry at all" I am a parent and do worry. Risks for small children and fetuses and infants nursing are much higher than for adults so I believe some precautions are necessary. There are people claiming to be doctors who have posted here who agree with this.
Tap water is much less likely to have higher levels than rainwater so washing clothes and hair etc if you go in the rain and staying out of the rain is a reasonable precautionary measure (make kids wash their hands and wipe them dry).
The French site I posted is a useful simple way of looking at it.
I am buying frozen food and tropical fruit and food packaged before these evnts in japan as much as possible. Milk is probably the easiest thing to avoid as are big green leafy veggies (I bought lettuce but took off the outer leaves when I ate it). Potatoes, carrots, things like apples etc already harvested and in stores is probably fine. But the leafy green veggies that are coming in now may be much higher if they have been rained on.
Take smart, simple, precautions. My rule is, if I can avoid it, i will and won't give ot to my kids. If it is raining I stay indoors or use and umbrella and wash my hands (or other parts that get rained on.
My attitude is better safe than sorry, even if the risk is tiny, it is still too much where kids are involved. Try almond milk!
who let the dog out, who who
almond milk, soymilk, ricemilk, hempmilk they all have a fairly long shelf life. for right now this is a reliable option.
Leafy Greens
I'm not sure that removing the outer leaves on leafy greens will make much of a difference. As I understand it, the Cs-137 and other "spices" are taken up from the soil, through the roots, then stored in the leaves. Washing will not remove this sort of contamination.
Thank you so much for taking
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I agree that when it comes to kids especially, we need to be careful. I am also taking those precautions for my children that you suggested. I wish the schools here were more cautious. They don't even think about keeping the kids inside, etc. I tell my kids to play undercover and stay out of the rain as much as possible, but it's hard when they don't allow umbrella's on recess and it rains constantly here. There is so much to worry about, especially when we basically have to do our own research. You'd think that the FDA and EPA would have some sort of precautions for children, but they don't seem very concerned. It's almost unbelievable how this entire event has disappeared from the headlines, in regards to the U.S. They spend seconds discussing latest developments in Japan, and then quickly move on. I don't get it.
I appreciate your comments. Thank you again. I will also check out the site you suggested.
Laurie
Hi Laurie, You are right to
Hi Laurie,
You are right to be concerned. I suggest giving your children a note stating they have to stay indoors if it is raining for medical reasons, which is to also include P.E. class. Period. At least until better information is gained.
I don't mean to spoil it for
I don't mean to spoil it for you, but almond milk is made with water :)
True, but tap water hasn't
True, but tap water hasn't had much contamination compared with cow's milk