Dr. Perry Kendall, British Columbia's provincial health officer, issued a statement today reiterating that there are no health risks to British Columbians due to radiation from the Japanese nuclear power plants.

"British Columbians do not need to worry about any health risks from radiation here at home as a result of the nuclear reactor releases in Japan.

"We have been monitoring the situation very closely, and I have been in close, regular contact with our partners at the BC Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada and in the United States since the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"As expected, we have seen extremely small levels of radiation from Japan that have made their way over to the west coast of North America, but the levels are so minute that they pose no risk of health effects.

"We expect to continue to see measurable evidence of this power plant-associated radioactivity in the air until about a week after the reactor in Japan has stabilized, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely. However, I would like to be clear that the levels noted are very low. In fact, radiation levels so far have all been within the normal range of variability, and are below what a person on a long-distance flight may be exposed to.

"I would also like to remind people that there is no need to take potassium iodide tablets to counter radiation effects - this is unnecessary and can, in fact, cause health problems in some people.

"I encourage concerned British Columbians to check the BC Centre for Disease Control website at www.bccdc.ca for regular updates to the radiation status.

"Finally, I would like to suggest that people take this tragedy as a reminder to ensure that they are prepared for a similar emergency here in B.C. Check that your emergency preparedness kit is well stocked, and discuss emergency plans with your family."

Learn More:

BC Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/resourcematerials/newsandalerts/news/japanQuake.htm

Public Safety Canada: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/em/jeic-faq-eng.aspx

Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/ed-ud/respond/nuclea/2011-02-17-eng.php

Contact:

Ryan Jabs

Manager of Media Relations

Ministry of Health

250 952-1889 (media line)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect