An email version of the nuclear rain/acid rain rumor that spread panic in parts of Asia earlier this week warns Los Angeles residents to stay indoors or risk "burns, alopecia or even cancer" due to rain mixed with radioactive particles from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan.
The L.A. County Fire Department has issued a press release saying the unauthorized email, which bears the department's logo, is fraudulent. "The County of Los Angeles Fire Department has not issued this statement nor do we believe the statements within the email to be factual", Public Affairs Battalion Chief Jon O'Brien is quoted as saying.
"Residents within Los Angeles County seeking information on the potential impact from the release at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant are advised to obtain their information from a reputable agency," the press release continues. "Additionally, individuals are reminded to use caution when viewing e-mails and to always verify the source of their information."
The following are recommended sources of emergency information:
• County of Los Angeles Dept. of Health
• California Dept. of Health
• Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
News update: California Residents Not Laughing After Hoax Email Warns of Acid Rain
Comments
Does this mean there is no acid rain or no more acid rain than usual?
If you live in LA, you should never have to worry about acid rain, as there are no coal fired power plants upwind of you. This problem is only apparent in the upper mid-west and New England.