Alaska Radiation: All Clear, Special Plane to Monitor

State officials say the radiation levels in Alaska well within normal levels, but a special Air Force plane is being used to monitor radioactive activities just in case.

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By KTVA CBS 11
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Story Created: Mar 20, 2011 at 7:13 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 20, 2011 at 7:13 PM AKDT

State officials say radiation levels in Alaska are thousands of times below any concern; radiation monitors show levels well within the normal background range.

Officials say that though people near the nuclear power plants in Japan are being encouraged to take potassium iodide pills to counter possible risks from exposure, Alaskans should not take the pills because Alaskans are not at risk of exposure and the pills can be harmful to your body.

Officials at all levels of government continue to monitor the situations, and a special plane has just arrived in Alaska to detect any possible radiation.

The Air Force WC135 has been assigned to patrol from the Fairbanks area Eielson Air Force Base. The jet is one of only two such jets in the Air Force and is about the size of a 707. It is used by the military to measure radiation levels and is part of Operation Constant Phoenix which, over the years, has detected Russian Nuclear tests and measured radioactive contamination over Chernobyl.

The WC135’s stay in Alaska is a temporary one, according to Air Force officials who say they requested the plane’s presence in Alaska as “a prudent measure to support possible contingencies.”
 

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Guest said on Tuesday, Mar 29 at 8:52 PM

We have all just found out this was a lie.

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