Medical experts stepped forward Friday to help to ease growing anxiety concerning the influence of Japan's nuclear crisis on life in the city.

"The occurrence of any direct, substantial influence of radiation on individuals has been very rare throughout human history. Under most circumstances, public panic has outstripped actual impact," said Dr Choi Yu-fai, a representative of the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine.

Choi agreed it is crucial to keep an eye on changing circumstances surrounding the radiation leak in Japan, but said there is no need for aggravated health concerns for Hong Kong citizens at this stage.

Citizens or travelers arriving to Hong Kong from Japan can report to the checkpoint that has been set up at the airport for a radiation examination. On a voluntary basis people are free to avail the service whether they feel ill or not.

Beyond that, as a service to public education, Choi set out general facts concerning radiation contamination. Choi said that taking a shower and washing the clothes will suffice to clean up the radioactive contaminants which may cling to skin or clothing. People may also go to Tuen Mun Hospital or Eastern Hospital for inspection and cleansing, if necessary.

If returning travelers find themselves suffering from obvious signs of sickness such as diarrhea, vomiting and weariness within a few hours after exposure to radiation, they are advised to see a doctor to consider a specific therapy.

Pregnant mothers are strongly urged not to go to places of high risks, which may increase the incidence of major malformations, growth restriction, neural and motor deficiencies, mental retardation of babies and even miscarriage.

Dr Yu Kai-man, spokesman of the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said there are "no scientific grounds" for citing some clothing as providing insulation for pregnant women.

Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen, president of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, clarified that although iodine helps to inhibit the absorption of radioactive iodine, which may be contained in radiation leaks, it is effective within a few hours before going to or after departing from a place exposed to high radiation.

Liang suggested the people who feel obliged to go to places where they are at risk obtain prescriptions for potassium iodine.

Liang also said that while a limited amount of iodine may help with prevention, overdose may cause goiter.

"There were rumors in the previous days which might have appeared to sound reasonable, but they became exaggerated, distorted and proliferated, finally creating a mass panic," said Dr Ivan Mak Wing-chit, a representative of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists.

Mak also suggested that the public care for one another, and especially to take care to dismiss rumors spreading among the elderly.

China Daily

(HK Edition 03/19/2011 page1)