1) Those interested in recently (?) measured radiation levels (at different distances from the Fukushima reactors in Japan) should see: (*)http://www.meti.go.jp/earthquake/nuclear/pdf/monitor02_01.pdf (*) (dose levels measured 1 meter above the ground) (*)http://www.meti.go.jp/earthquake/nuclear/pdf/monitor02_02.pdf (dose levels measured 1 centimeter above the ground) Note that the color code is explained near the lower left corner of each dispay. Radiation levels are expressed in micro-Sieverts per hour. [The 10 micro-sieverts, for example, is the same as 0.01 mSv, etc. And 10 micro-Sievert/hour is the same as 0.24 mSv/day, or 7.2 mSv/month.] 2) The effect of penetrating radiation on a person depends on the dose received. The common unit of dose is Sievert (Sv). Smaller doses are expressed in milliseverts (mSv) or microseveret. A dose of 10 Sv will most likely results in death, within a day or two. 5 Sv would kill about 50% of exposed people. 2 Sv can also be fatal, especially without prompt treatment. 0.25 Sv = 250 mSv is the limit for emergency workers in life-saving operations. 0.10 Sv = 100 mSv dose is clearly linked to later cancer risks. 0.05 Sv = 50 mSv is the yearly limit for radiation workers. 0.004 Sv= 4 mSv typical yearly dose due to natural radiation (cosmic rays, etc). 0.003 Sv= 3 mSV typical dose from mammogram Ludwik Kowalski (see Wikipedia) .
People are over reacting to alot of this. We used to do nuclear bomb tests with people only a few miles away under mushroom clouds. Radiation can cause problems but it's area effect is way overblown. I have read hippie articles from people in Oregon claiming their hippie lettuce gas radiation from japan, lol
