Radiation Plume Projected to Reach SoCal

A plume stemming from the nuclear disaster in Japan is projected to reach Southern California in the coming days, although the level of radiation is expected to be low. In a worst-case scenario, the plume could pose minor health risks, according to MSNBC.

The plume is believed to consist of low levels of radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged following Japan's recent earthquake and tsunami, according to the Los Angeles Times. MSNBC reports that the plume is on track to reach Southern California by Friday.

The Weather Channel says offshore winds of 5 to 10 mph are forecasted to blow the contaminates across the Pacific Ocean and toward the West Coast of the United States. However, dispersement models reportedly indicate that a major dilution of the plume's radiation will occur as it travels across the Pacific.

A group of radiation experts is monitoring the situation, according to the Times.

Gregory Jaczko, chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, spoke about the plume during a press conference on Thursday.

"Basic physics and basic science tells us that there really can't be any risk or harm to anyone here in the United States—or Hawaii or any of the other territories," he said.

President Obama spoke about the radiation on Thursday afternoon at approximately 12:30 p.m.

"I want to be very clear: We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the United States, whether it's the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska or U.S. territories in the Pacific," he said. "That is the judgement of our Nuclear Regulatory Commission and many other experts.

"Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and public-health experts, do not recommend that people in the United States take precautionary measures beyond staying informed," he added. "Going forward, we will continue to keep the American people fully updated, because I believe that you must know what I know as president."

This article originally appeared on Santa Monica Patch.

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