LET?S BE clear about one thing first: being more than 3,000 km away and the fact that the prevailing wind in the area points eastward across the Pacific, there is a remote, if not an impossible probability that unhealthy levels of radioactive material spewing out from the badly damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan would ever reach our country.

But let us assume a cloud of radioactive particles did come blowing over our cities and towns (most probably caused by terrorist bomb rather than a leaking plant) what should one do to minimize its harmful effects?

Let us remember that a radioactive fallout does not come out of the sky like a gas and seep into everything.

These minute particles of radioactive debris can best be described as a fine sand carried by the wind. And because the wind direction varies at different heights above the ground, it would be hard to judge from where such fallout could be blown or could settle.

Four things

According to the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, there are four things that determine the amount of radiation reaching our body from a fallout: the time that has passed since the dispersion; the length of time one is exposed to the fallout; the distance one is from the fallout; and lastly, the shielding between the person and the fallout.

One should realize that the level of radioactivity in a fallout weakens rapidly in the first hours after the dispersion.

In this regard it is best to stay in a shelter (could be a basement or any room that has no window and other opening where outside air could enter) the moment a fallout is reported to be approaching your area.

To keep radioactive dust or powder from getting inside, it is advised to shut all windows, outside doors and other openings. Turn off fans as well as air-conditioning systems that could bring in air from the outside.

Seek shelter

Should you be caught within the fallout area, immediately seek shelter to any nearby building or structure.

Take off clothing as well as any other outer covering (face mask, hats) and then, seal it in a plastic bag or any container. Doing this is crucial as shedding outer clothes may get rid of up to 90 percent of radioactive dust.

Immediately take a shower or wash with soap and water. Be sure to wash your hair thoroughly as this will remove any remaining radioactive dust.

Another factor that should be considered is distance since the strength of radiation reaching our body is much reduced the farther one is from the fallout.

One should remember that radioactive particles that come in contact with the skin cause burns. Swallowing or inhaling such materials is much more harmful.

Develops slowly

Except for temporary nausea shortly after exposure, radiation illness develops slowly but it cannot be spread to other people like an infection.

Serious effects from radiation, that may appear after a few days to three weeks, may include a combination of loss of hair, loss of appetite, increasing paleness, weakness, diarrhea, sore throat, bleeding gums and easy bruising.

One should immediately see a doctor.

Iodine as remedy?

One of the dangers of radioactive fallout is the chance of contracting thyroid cancer, especially among young children.

This is because our thyroid immediately absorbs iodine to make hormones. However the gland only requires 150 milligrams of iodine and once this amount is obtained, the thyroid does not take in any more iodine and allows it to pass through the body without being retained in the system.

The goal of giving people potassium iodide is to prevent radioactive iodine?a highly carcinogenic substance that can leak from nuclear reactors in an accident?from being absorbed by the gland.

The World Health Organization however, cautioned against self-medication as potassium iodine is not a radiation antidote and in fact, offers no protection against other radioactive elements such as cesium. It may also be dangerous to pregnant individuals.

The WHO also cautioned against drinking or even applying the iodine antiseptic solution around one?s neck as this is ineffective, absurd and may pose a health hazard.