Stay indoors in case of radiation: Vietnam meeting

Even if the radiation leaked from Japan’s quake-hit nuclear plant spreads to Vietnam, it will not cause adverse health effects, assured the Vietnamese heath ministry yesterday.

This is due to its low levels of radioactivity, said experts and ministry officials at a Hanoi meeting to discuss the risk of Japan’s leaked radiation. 

Even if a radioactive cloud from Japan’s Fukushima I nuclear power plant reaches Vietnam, it is unlikely to be harmful to human health as its radiation level is significantly lower than the levels of radiation exposure that cause health effects, the ministry said.

Radiation can have health impacts only when one is exposed to the radiation source for a long time or to a level of radioactivity that is higher than the acceptable limit, the ministry said.

Currently, radioactivity observation stations in Vietnam take samples of the air every 10 minutes to detect radioactive particles that might come from Japan. 

Some instructions

There are two types of radiation exposures: external and internal, Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety said.

External radiation exposure is the exposure originating from a source outside the body; there is no physical contact with the radiation source, and exposure ceases when one leaves the radiation-contaminated area or when the source is removed.

Meanwhile, internal radiation exposure occurs when radioactive substances are inhaled or ingested into the body, for example through eating food infected with radiation or breathing air containing radioactive particles.

In order to protect against radiation, people need to keep themselves apart from the radiation source. In case an exposure is unavoidable, it is necessary to try to reduce the time of exposure as much as possible. 

Protection measures include shielding oneself against radiation by taking shelter in concrete houses; wearing helmets and gloves; and not eating or drinking food or water suspected of being tainted with radiation.

When staying in houses to avoid radiation, it is advisable to close all doors and windows, turn off ventilation fans, and put food into closed containers or wrap it up. 

In case of a nuclear incident, people should keep calm and follow all instructions from competent agencies, the Agency said.