Radiation 
levels near a nuclear power plant in Japan are rising. The Fukushima Daiichi power plant dealt with its third explosion since the 8.9 earthquake damaged the plant. Now health concerns are increasing as crews fight to keep the nuclear power plant from spewing out more radiation.
People living within 20 miles of the nuclear power plant have been evacuated, but exposure to radiation can have serious health effects. Vomiting, headache, birth defects, and thyroid cancer have all been linked to varying levels of radiation exposure.
Once radiation is in the atmosphere, it can be inhaled and get into the water stream. The effects of radiation can last for decades.
Japan has distributed 230,000 units of potassium iodine pills, which can help prevent thyroid cancer. The pills prevent the thyroid from absorbing radiation if they are taken before or immediately after exposure. It will remain effective for 24 hours, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the pills aren’t a guarantee. The pills do not protect other organs in the body, and do not protect against any other chemical that could seep out of the power plant.
Health officials say the iodine pills, while limited in protection, are still beneficial. Doctors 
say the pills should be a top priority for children and pregnant women because developing thyroids are most likely to absorb radiation. When it comes to adults the advantages of iodine pills seems to differ. There are conflicting medical reports that say iodine pills won’t help older adults over 40. Other reports say the pills are useless for people over 20. Japan has yet to create a set of guidelines to clear up who should or shouldn’t take the pills.
The confusion over radiation sickness seems to be causing panic thousands of miles away from the epicenter of the quake. There are reports of pharmacies selling out of iodine pills in California and Ontario, Canada. Officials say the radiation threat is only in Japan and only those told to take the pills by government health officials should do so.
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