EPA: Radiation Threat From Japan Unlikely

Jacob Resneck & Jay Barrett/KMXT

Three additional radiation monitors are being deployed to Alaska as an early warning to detect any radiation blowing from a crippled nuclear power plant in Japan. But federal Environmental Protection Agency officials insist they’re not anticipating a threat to human health and are offering periodic updates online .

— radiation 1 :09 "We do not … public health impact."

That’s EPA director of radiation protection Jonathan Edwards briefing reporters this afternoon. He says the decision to install radiation detectors in Dutch Harbor, Nome and Juneau is a precautionary move to bolster the agency’s existing network of fixed sensors.

— radiation 2 :37 "What the EPA has done … situations like this."

Meanwhile here in Kodiak, officials say they’re watching the situation closely. Kodiak Fire Chief Rome Kamai has been heading the community’s emergency planning effort.

— radiation 3 :20 "Myself, the police chief … providing information."

He says so far state and federal officials have downplayed any immediate threat.

— radiation 4 :12 "I’m holding true … gauge for Kodiak."

Coincidentally today was the quarterly meeting of the Kodiak Island Local Emergency Planning Committee. At that meeting, the borough’s emergency coordinator Duane Dvorak briefed first responders and medical professionals.

— radiation5 :25 "As far as the state’s … we’re not at that point."

EPA is also deploying radiation detectors are also planned to be installed in Hawaii and Guam. The agency is maintaining updates on its website. There’s a link on our website, KMXT dot ORG.

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