Is Washington at risk of radiation from the conflict in Ukraine?
Our radiation health expert provides some reassurance
In Washington state, we’ve had a couple nuclear fallout scares. The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident and the 2011 Fukushima incident both left Washingtonians wondering if radiation would reach us here at home. With the Russian occupation of nuclear reactors in Ukraine, some are wondering how worried we should be about potential fallout.
But how worried should we really be?
We sat down recently with Mike Priddy, radiation health physicist with the Washington State Department of Health, about these very concerns.
Mike advised us that DOH is closely monitoring the situation and assured us that there is no need to fear.
Has there been a release of any radiation from Ukraine?
Priddy: The simple answer is, no. We are closely monitoring the situation overseas and have no indication of any radiation release from Ukraine.
What is DOH doing to monitor for a potential release of radiation?
Priddy: Even before the Ukraine situation, we have been watching several sources. This is what our office does to prepare for any sort of radiation event. We listen to credible news outlets, track the European Union’s radiation monitors and the jet stream, watch the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s RadNet and have our own air sampler data.
What other partner organizations are we working with to monitor radiation?
Priddy: DOH is participating in a biweekly meeting with the West Coast states, Idaho, British Columbia, Alaska, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate monitoring, efforts, planning, and communications should anything occur.
How would radiation reach the United States?
Priddy: Radiation contaminants travel through the air, and the earliest detection locally would primarily be from the atmospheric jet stream — an air current high in the atmosphere. We are checking the jet stream several times a day and, like all weather can, its path varies from hour to hour. For example, some days it does not enter the U.S. at all and instead passes to the north through our neighbors in Canada.
How long would it take a release of radiation to reach Washington?
Priddy: Our monitoring suggests it would take between 3 and 10 days after release, at the earliest, for any contaminants to reach the U.S. We would have significant notice and preparation time before any contaminants potentially reached our state.
Where would it land first?
Priddy: There is not one location or pathway that is guaranteed as the “landing zone.” In the case of Chernobyl and Fukushima, the first contaminants passed our southern border with Oregon. It’s also important to note many states and countries are monitoring levels as well. It is highly likely we’d be notified of any incoming contaminants prior to our own detection.
How would a release of radiation from Ukraine affect Washington?
Priddy: That depends on the nature and duration of the release, but it could be minimal to none. A release on the scale of Chernobyl would probably have no effect on our day-to-day lives. In fact, more people were impacted by the fear and stress of the Chernobyl event than by the contaminants themselves. Washingtonians can get more radiation exposure on a cross-country flight than what was released during the Chernobyl incident.
How much radiation could it be?
Priddy: That is an impossible question to answer, because we don’t know what will happen. A lot of people are worried about nuclear war. But even if there was a limited nuclear exchange in Europe, the impacts here would likely be minimal. There have been over 500 above-ground nuclear detonations since 1945, most of them in the 1950s. Some were even inside the U.S., and the impact on life here in Washington has been negligible.
Is any amount of radiation bad?
Priddy: Exposure to radiation is, and always has been, a part of life. That said, it can be harmful in large amounts, but our bodies can tolerate low levels of radiation with little to no impact. In radiation protection we have a term, “as low as reasonably achievable.” That is our way of saying, avoid radiation unless there is a benefit. So, our radiation limits are set so low that there is no demonstrable risk from that level of radiation.
In fact, some exposure can be beneficial if it is used to detect more serious conditions — think of X-rays, CT scans, mammography screenings, and so on. In addition, medical radiation therapy can be beneficial if it is used to combat more serious conditions, such as certain cancers.
What should I worry about?
Priddy: This may sound ironic, but I am most worried about people worrying. There is a lot of fear out there, and fear has very negative impacts on health. Trust in the people and agencies who are monitoring radiation release, now and always, and try to find ways to calm your mind and body for overall health.
What should I not worry about?
Priddy: Most importantly, you should not worry about being uninformed. If anything happens, we will communicate everything we know, as quickly as possible, and give guidance on what you might need to do about it.
Should I use a Geiger counter to detect radiation from Ukraine?
Priddy: Like I said, there has been no release of radiation, so no. If there is, we will detect it before you would be able to with a Geiger counter. By the way, that’s a very expensive instrument that must be maintained, at considerable expense, to be accurate. It’s just not necessary.
Are you concerned and why or why not?
Priddy: Not overly. I find the war images and situation overseas concerning. But I lived through the Cold War and there were many times that things were more intense than this and we got through it. So honestly, as a Washington resident and a radiation expert, I remain hopeful we will get through this crisis just fine.
How can I prepare? Can I go outside?
Priddy: Yes, go enjoy the spring weather! Specifically related to the Ukrainian situation, there really isn’t anything you need to do. Like always, we do encourage everyone to be prepared for emergency situations for a few days, as a result of natural events. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand with some food, water, medical supplies, and the like, for any situation.
Do you have any last words for our readers?
Priddy: Yes, the overall message is there is no need to worry at this time. DOH is prepared to respond to radiological emergencies anywhere in the state and we will keep our communities informed. We always have a staff of about 60 people dedicated to this, and our overall goal is to keep all our residents safe.
Learn more about what we do at https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/radiation.
More Information
Information in this blog changes rapidly. Sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles. For more information from the Washington State Department of Health, visit doh.wa.gov.
Questions about COVID-19? Visit our COVID-19 website to learn more about vaccines and booster doses, testing, WA Notify, and more. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.
