洛杉矶郡官方文件：关于避免食用碘化钾的健康警告（图）

HEALTH ADVISORY: LA County Residents Cautioned to AVOID Ingesting Potassium Iodide
Based on current situation, there is NO increased risk of radiation exposure from nuclear power complex situation in Japan

LOS ANGELES - The damage to nuclear reactors in Japan has understandably lead to concerns aboutthe safety of individuals throughout the world, including here in Los Angeles County. The County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, is cautioning residents against ingesting potassium iodide (KI) as a precaution against possible radiation exposure. It is not an effective precautionary measure.

"There is no increased risk of harmful levels of radiation exposure in the United States based on the situation to date at the nuclear power complex in Japan. Residents who ingest potassium iodide out of concern of possible exposure from this situation are doing something which is not only ineffective, but could also cause side effects," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "If a need should arise for residents to start taking potassium iodide to guard against effects of
radiation exposure, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department - along with other local, state and federal agencies - will inform the public. We do not anticipate this need."

However, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - along with other local, state and federal agencies - is actively monitoring the situation. These agencies utilize a number of redundant monitoring systems capable of detecting any significant elevation in radiation levels. The public is encouraged to check reliable sources for up-to-date information.

Potassium iodide, or KI, is a stable form of iodine. During a nuclear emergency, persons may be exposed to a radioactive form of iodine, which can be harmful to the thyroid gland. In such an event, public health officials may recommend use of KI to offer some protection. KI is not recommended for use as a precautionary medication, unless there is a specific emergency that warrants use as recommended by public health officials.

Although usually benign, it can be harmful to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish, those with certainskin disorders, or those with thyroid problems. Observed but infrequent side effects of ingesting potassium iodide include nausea, intestinal upset, rashes, inflammation of the salivary glands, and possibly severe allergic reactions. KI cannot protect the body from radioactive elements other than radioactive iodine-if radioactive iodine is not present, taking KI is not protective.

All residents are reminded to prepare a basic, emergency kit to prepare for any kind of disaster. While potassium iodide is not a recommended component of such a kit, there are at least 10 Essential Items, as recommended by the Emergency Survival Program in LA County's Office of Emergency Management, which should be included:

1. Water
2. Food
3. Cash and Important Documents
4. Clothes
5. Flashlight
6. First Aid Kit
7. Prescription Medication
8. Radio
9. Toiletries
10. Tools

These essential items will help ensure that people have access to basic essentials when other resources may not be available during an emergency. It is also vital that families put together a Communications Plan, such as a pre- planned place to meet and a designated out-of-state contact, in case family members are separated or at work or school when a disaster strikes.

For more information on earthquake and disaster readiness, call [phone] or the LA County Information Line at 2- 1-1. Additional information can be found on the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

For more information on potassium iodide (KI), visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention'swebsite at http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov,
visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: LAPublicHealth.

洛县碘化钾因防核辐射走俏 大批华人跟风抢购

日本核辐射威胁升高，洛城碘缺货。连日来洛杉矶许多药房的碘片（碘化钾）都被抢购一空。在华人密集的蒙市，人人药房、安康宁药房和嘉惠尔药房的碘片也都出现缺货现象。

据了解，碘化钾是一种可以预防甲状腺疾病的药物，而放射性碘的低辐射是导致这种疾病的直接罪魁祸首，这种放射性物质会在核辐射中大量产生。

由于担心日本的核浮尘会飘到美国，洛杉矶许多华人开始跟风抢购抗辐射的碘片。今天上午记者走访了蒙市的人人药房、安康宁药房和嘉惠尔药房，得到的回答都是缺货。嘉惠尔药房华裔工作人员艾米（Amy T.）说：这几天前来购买碘片的华人很多，尤其是今天。但由于货架上无货，这些人只好空手而归。

帕沙迪纳迈克尔药房的老板斯奇（Skye）也被突如其来的抢购碘片的人潮所震惊。因为缺货，她已经打电话联系了3家供应商，得到的回答都是已被抢购一空，无货供应。她认为美国政府官员对日本核泄漏的大肆渲染客观上误导了西岸的民众。事实上核浮尘跨越4000英里太平洋的可能性微乎其微。

蒙市居民刘太太称她也是前来购买碘片的，“虽然官方说核浮尘飘到美国的可能微乎其微，但这句话本身的意思就是还有那么一点点的可能，或者说万分之一的机率吧。所以，我想还是有备无患的好。不怕一万，就怕万一嘛。”

洛县卫生部长费尔丁（Jonathan Fielding）强调：只有在极少的状况下碘化钾才会派上用场，这种东西大量储藏在靠近核反应堆的美国仓库中。“洛县卫生部目前正在和联邦及加州疾病控制中心取得联系，以确定碘化钾的储量。”

费尔丁指出：日本现在的状况和当年俄国切尔诺贝利核电站的泄露大不相同，“日本所面临的更像是细菌弹的大爆炸”。他转述世界卫生组织的警告说：“许多亚洲国家因为碘化钾在药房买不到，属于医院处方药，所以很多人改用喝碘酒，但这种办法其实毫无用处。”