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At time of this writing, radioactive clouds from the Japanese nuclear disaster were expected to hit the western United States within days. Though part of the radiation is expected to dissipate over the ocean, some estimates are forecasting radiation exposure levels of 750 RADS or more. By comparison, one chest X-ray is about 1/300 RADS and one CT-scan is 1 RAD. Following are several precautionary and restorative measures to take in the event of radioactive contamination.

First and foremost is potassium iodide (KI). Potassium iodide binds to radioactive iodine and is cleared within 24-72 hours. It is by far the item most used for radiation poisoning. According to the USFDA guidelines, the following doses should be taken after likely internal contamination.

*Adults, including breastfeeding women: 130 mg *Children between 3 and 18 years of age and less than 150 pounds: 65 mg *Children 150 pounds or more: 130 mg (regardless of age) *Infants and children between 1 month and 3 years old: 32 mg (whether nursing or not) *Nursing and non-nursing newborns from birth to 1 month old: 16 mg.