Confirmed: Guam, Nation Safe from Radiation
Governor Questions Obama Administration, Receives Assurances
Immediate Release: March 18, 2011
Once again, federal experts have assured that Guam is safe from the radioactivity occurring in Japan. This morning, Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, and members of the administration participated in a conference call with senior officials in the White House, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), and the State Department regarding the recent events at nuclear plant sites in Japan.
Officials echoed the statements of President Barack Obama and Governor Calvo: Guam and the nation are not expected to see harmful levels in radiation.
U.S. EPA is currently working to install a radiation monitoring device on Guam. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Aleutian Islands will also receive the device. Officials stressed the monitoring is for transparency through this time period, since, again, the Pacific territories are not expected to see harmful levels of radiation.
CDC Director Dr. Tom Friedman also cautioned there is “no reason” anyone should be taking potassium iodide at this time. According to CDC, you should only take potassium iodide on the advice of emergency management officials, public health officials, or your doctor.
Officials informed Governor Calvo that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are monitoring imported food for safety, and there is no reason for concern.
Another conference call with FDA, USDA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expected to take place tomorrow morning, to brief the Governor and the administration on more issues.
