Radiation Information Related to 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

• Hawaii DOH Frequently Asked Questions about Radiation
• U.S. CDC Frequently Asked Questions about a Radiation Emergency:
  Chinese| English | Spanish | Tagalog
• U.S. CDC: Radiation Emergencies
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Japanese Nuclear Emergency
• EPA's RadNet Air Monitoring Data - view clickable map
• World Health Organization (WHO) Japan nuclear concerns FAQs
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Radiation

Radiation is a form of energy that can come from natural sources like the sun or uranium in soil, and also from manmade sources such as x-ray machines and microwave ovens. People are exposed to very small amounts of radiation every day.

Nuclear or radiation emergencies could expose people to large amounts of radiation. A radiation emergency could result from a nuclear power plant accident, the explosion of a nuclear device, or a dirty bomb. A dirty bomb is an explosive, like dynamite, that contains radioactive materials. Blasts from these explosions can cause deaths, serious injuries and property damage. Exposure to very large doses of radiation may cause death within a few days or months; exposure to lower doses of radiation may lead to an increased risk of developing cancer or other adverse health effects years in the future.

In a radiation emergency, officials will monitor the amount of radiation and advise the public what to do. The DOH will oversee clean-up and removal of any dangerous materials.

For more information about radiological emergencies:

• Radiation Brochure (pdf):
  Chinese| English | Ilocano | Japanese
• Frequently Asked Questions about a Radiation Emergency
• Getting Checked for Contamination
• Evacuation
• What to Do about Pets