We're planning a trip to Beijing 1st week of August. I'm wondering if it is safe to travel in Beijing given the radiation treat from Japan? Do I need to postpone the trip and find somewhere else to go. I feel horrible about Japan and I feel for the people. I pray that everything will be better soon. I'm not sure about the radiation reaching Beijing. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

There really is no radiation threat from Japan in Beijing. Go.

Kathie,

I read in today's newspaper report that a very minute level of radiating from Japan has reached South Korea, China and the Philippines. Although nothing to panic about the news services are starting to report on this.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia...ion-from-japan

Yes, there is a very low level of radiation detected, but the OP will get far more radiation exposure from their flight to China than they would from visiting Beijing. By threat, I assume the OP means there is some danger. There is no danger from this minute level of radiation.

I totally agree Kathie but once someone start reading in the news about radiation from Japan reaching other countries, no matter how minute, they will panic. I think we will see more and more thread like this one in the future!

I'm sure you are right. I think the media has done a poor job of differientiating detectable radiation from radiation than can cause harm.

First there was the 'should I go to Thailand' thread--now the 'should I go to China' thread.

I'm just waiting for the 'should I got to Scandanvia' thread shortly.

Of course you should go--we leave for Beijing a week from Friday and I have no qualms whatsoever about going. As Kathie stated, I think the radiation from the scanner at the airport poses more of a risk to you.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHe...Headlines&utm_

This is about airport scanners and their risk, the current information supplied to doctors and pharmacists. Basically, it says, "much ado about nothing".

Here Down Under, we've heard about potential radiation threats on West Coast USA, so China isn't a lone threat. To the OP, I would go, unless I were travelling with young children.

Actually you will get more radiation exposure traveling on the airplane than you will ever get on the ground anywhere on earth except maybe in Fukushima Japan. Educate yourself and drop your ihibitions and enjoy

Aloha!

Just watched the ITN news here in the UK and the Environmental watchdog here has registered radioactive iodine from the Japanese reactor in Oxford and Scotland. As a small rider to this they mentioned that the radiation measured was ONE MILLIONTH of normal background radiation! Why even bother mentioning it?

Most governments seem to be issuing comparatively sane and measured announcements and information, however the media, as usual, desperate for copy,do what they always do and sensationalise with scant regard for the actual effects of their coverage.

Suddenly everyone is an expert nuclear physicist with opinions based on what?

Local authorities in Boston last weekend found detectable radiation in rain water from last week, which they attribute to Japan. Wonder when the "is it safe to travel to Boston?" threads will start.

Scientists are, of course, interested in the rage and rate of spread of the barely detectable radiation from the Fukushima reactor. But do distinguish their interest in the most minute amounts of radiation from any health-threatening level of radiation.

Do you have granite counter tops in your kitchen? If so, you are getting much more radiation from them than you would from visiting Beijing.

Even young children are not in any danger form the levels of radiation that appear in surrounding countries (or even in most of Japan).

We are heading to China the first week of April. Radiation does not seem like is poses a threat to visitors to the region, outside of the areas surrounding Sendai. Radiation occurs naturally and given the amount of dental work I have had (read LOTS OF XRAYS) I suspect I have been bombarded with enough radiation from that to last a lifetime. We are moving forward as planned.

Good for you!

I am quite sure that no dangerous radiation can get through the layer of pollution that is usually over Beijing. ;-) As all of the above posters have said, GO and enjoy a wonderful, interesting, magical country/city.