Radiation Fears Lead to Potassium Iodide Hysteria Potassium Iodide Runs Low as Americans Seek It Out ..... The earthquake and tsunami in Japan has caused a slight meltdown in on of Japan's nuclear power plants and maybe some other potential meltdowns. Radiation levels in the area have increased, mostly affecting workers or those right near the plant. Radiation level increases in other parts of Japan are minimal most are blowing off to sea, which has sparked public hysteria on the West Coast of the United States. The public is terrified because they believe that the radiation levels will come to...