No Radiation Detected in S California

No measurable radiation from failed Japanese reactors has been detected so far in Southern California, US authorities announced on Friday.

Radiation monitors did not detect any signs of radioactivity in Southern California related to the Japanese nuclear crisis, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said.

The EPA deploys 12 air monitors across California out of a total of 124 nationwide. These monitors provide hourly readings of radiation levels.

But according to CNN, small amount of radiation was detected in Sacramento in Northern California on Friday morning. The amount of radiation was so small that it posed no threat to human health, the report said.

Amid reports that winds could deliver a "radioactive plume" to the US West Coast as early as Friday, California and Los Angeles County officials have urged calm.

Any radiation emitted by the failing Japanese nuclear reactors would dissipate during the 5,000-mile (8,000-kilometer) journey across the Pacific Ocean, California's Public Health Department officials said.

"We do not anticipate any amount of radiation that would cause any health effects," said Howard Backer, the department's interim director. "We're 5,000 miles away, which would have a major dispersal effect on any radiation."

State and local health officials also urged the public not to ingest potassium iodide, which is believed to be able to help prevent the body's absorption of radiation, because of the possible side effects such as nausea, rashes and possible severe allergic reactions.

"Residents who ingest potassium iodide out of concern of possible exposure from this situation are doing something which is not only ineffective, but could also cause side effects," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Director of Los Angeles County's Public Health Department.