TRAVERSE CITY -- UPDATE: 

The Grand Traverse County Health Department continues to reinforce the concern over a high number of people buying potassium iodide tablets. 

Health officials released a statement Thursday that the chance of any significant radiation reaching the U.S. is "close to zero".  The great distance that radiation would have to travel would dilute it and degrade it to the point that it would be harmless.  Officials urge the public not to panic and that there is no reason to take potassium iodide pills.

EARLIER REPORT:

Although experts say radiation making it's way to Northern Michigan from Japan is highly unlikely -- local pharmacies say sales of a radiation prevention drug are sky-rocketing.  Some stores are even sold out.

Area health officials met Wednesday to discuss the sudden surge in sales of Potassium Iodide.

The drug is sold in pill form for radiation emergencies to protect the thyroid gland.

Officials with the Grand Traverse County Health Department say there is no local concern and you should not be taking the pills or giving them to your children.

"Don't give Potassium Iodide pills now.  They are potentially toxic especially to infants and small children. It's very unlikely it will be necessary to use them at all and if it does become necessary it will be important that it be done in exactly the right dose and the right timing," explains Dr. Michael Collins, Medical Director for the Grand Traverse County Health Department.

The Health Department would put out a notification if they felt people in the area should be taking the Potassium Iodide pills.

Potassium Iodide is sold over the counter at pharmacies for about $23 for a bottle of 90 pills.

7 & 4 Meteorologist Mark Watkins explains the likelihood of the radioactive disaster reaching Northern Michigan below:

According to reports, small amounts of radioactive water vapor have been released into the atmosphere from the damaged nuclear power plant in Japan.  Can a radioactive cloud cross the Pacific Ocean? 

It is possible, but under the circumstances we are being told, it is unlikely.  The jet stream is a river of high speed winds circulating the globe 6 to 10 miles above the earth’s surface.  The jet moves roughly west to east...from Asia toward North America.  The jet is capable of carrying sand, pollution, ash, or radioactive particles around the planet.  However, reports from Japan indicate the radioactive water vapor was not thrown high enough into the atmosphere to get into the jet.  The radioactivity is at a low level, and local winds are carrying the emissions across Japan, the Sea of Japan, and the western Pacific Ocean.  Even if radioactivity got into the jet stream, it could dissipate or precipitate (rain) out before it reached North America. 

This disaster is happening a long way from us.  Japan is over 7,000 miles from northern Michigan.

For more information on Potassium Iodide pills and how they protect against radiation CLICK HERE.

An explainer about radiation can be found HERE. 

Do you think people are overreacting by purchasing the pills?  Tell us "Your Point of View" by voting in the poll below and leaving your comments!