Fallout

The conditions of Japan's nuclear crisis keeps changing by the hour, and despite assurances that there is no imminent danger of radiation blowing China's way, Beijingers aren't taking any chances. The New York Times reports on a mad-grab for iodized salt over the last couple of days:

"...panicked residents combed pharmacies in a mostly vain search for potassium iodine tablets. The tablets are believed to decrease the risk of developing thyroid cancer from nuclear radiation, but few Chinese pharmacies carry them, although health officials said the government has a stockpile for emergency distribution. A clerk at one downtown Beijing pharmacy said more than 20 people had asked for the tablets in the past two days."

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