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.
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a supplement that provides dietary bicarbonate, which can increase serum levels of bicarbonate (normally produced by the kidneys) and subsequently buffer acid production in the body. The main mechanism of action of sodium bicarbonate is in negating the effects of acidosis.