The radiation levels in the worst-hit areas of the reactor building have been estimated to be 5.6 roentgens per second (R/s), equivalent to more than 20,000 roentgens per hour. A lethal dose is around 500 roentgens (~5 Gy) over 5 hours, so in some areas, unprotected workers received fatal doses in less than a minute.
Sodium bicarbonate is the generic name for a drug that is most commonly used to calm upset stomach caused by irritation from acid reflux. It's available in tablet form and is also sold in combination with omeprazole (Prilosec) as the over-the-counter (OTC) drug Zegerid for acid reflux. Sodium bicarbonate belongs to a class of drugs called antacids.
Oral sodium bicarbonate is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis. It is preferred over parenteral therapy in acute mild to moderate acidosis. Oral sodium bicarbonate is also indicated to correct acidosis in renal tubular disorders. Parenteral sodium bicarbonate is indicated to minimize risks of metabolic acidosis in severe renal disease, circulatory insufficiency due to shock or severe dehydration, extracorporeal circulation of blood, cardiac arrest, and severe primary lactic acidosis.