A San Benito High School chemistry and physics teacher has used
the nuclear meltdown in Japan as a teaching point in his science
classes.
”
I’ve had a couple questions from students in class about, was it
anything to worry about?
”
Keck said.
”
Nothing beyond that …The amount that has escaped and any
amount I can imagine escaping would be diluted or washed out of the
air long before it ever got here.
”
A San Benito High School chemistry and physics teacher has used the nuclear meltdown in Japan as a teaching point in his science classes.
“I’ve had a couple questions from students in class about, was it anything to worry about?” Keck said. “Nothing beyond that …The amount that has escaped and any amount I can imagine escaping would be diluted or washed out of the air long before it ever got here.”
Following the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that caused Japanese nuclear plants to malfunction, the San Benito Health Department sent out a release last week to residents that the amount of radiation that was expected to make it to the United States would be in such low doses that it would not be harmful to residents.
The notice also warned against taking potassium iodide pills, especially for people with thyroid issues. Government officials are continuing to monitor radiation levels around the nation.
The concern about radiation and the nuclear power plants’ meltdown has offered a learning opportunity for the science students.
“It’s given me a chance to talk about energy and energy production,” Keck said, “And how does a nuclear plant make electric energy. Chemistry, we talked about with global warming, is nuclear a good idea? It has been a learning opportunity.”
Keck said he grew up in Richland, Wash., where Hanford Works was located. It is where the plutonium was made for the atomic bomb that dropped on Nagasaki. Keck’s father worked on the project. As a college student, Keck studied the physical metallurgy of nuclear reactors. While in the military, he was trained as a chemical biological radiological warfare specialist.
Keck said he has never had reason to use potassium iodide tablets and he doesn’t know anyone who has ever taken them.
“When I was a toddler I was exposed to Iodine-134 and I am part of the study by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) over the risks of it. And so far none of us seemed to be harmed,” Keck said.
Steve Rosati, of Penny Wise Drugs, in Hollister said he has received some calls from residents looking for the pills but that his store has not had any available for some time. He said the pills will be reserved for people in the most dire need and that anyone with thyroid issues should consult a physician before taking them.
“As far as taking it itself, given the nature of our situation with being so far way, I don’t think it is going to be an issue,” Rosati said.
For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health’s FAQs about radiation page at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/RadiationFAQS2011.aspx.
