Map Shows Radioactive Plume Heading Toward California

Austria’s Federal Ministry for Science and Research has released a map showing radioactive material from the nuclear disaster in Japan as it heads across the Pacific Ocean. According to the United Nations, small amounts of radiation could reach California by Friday.

The U.N. says the plume will lose radioactive force as it travels and may not be detectable when it reaches the Southland.

Hundreds of Orange County residents concerned about the radiation that could be coming their way have been requesting potassium iodide pills from local pharmacists.  

In Laguna Niguel, there are two groups that have been purchasing the pills: “those who are concerned there will be some fallout from the Japan nuclear plant” and “others who just want to be prepared and have it in their possession in case it does.”

San Juan Capistrano spokeswoman Kelly Tokarski said the city "has gotten ," for potassium iodide pills. "All they have have to do is call the city to get it," she said.

Potassium iodide is a salt—the chemical symbol is KI—similar to table salt. It can be used to protect the human thyroid gland from radioactive iodine.

About 100 people have called the city of San Clemente to stock up on the pills in case of emergency, said Jen Tucker, the city's emergency planning officer.

, she said. "It's more than we usually have, but it's not indicative of panic."