iodine in kelp helps protect against radioactive fallout (apparently)

Fears of nuclear fallout from Japan's quake-crippled nuclear plant have prompted a surge in sales of iodine-rich kelp in Russia's Far East.

Officials say there is no evidence the radiation has spread to Russia's Pacific coast and advise people against taking radiation antidotes. Iodine lessens the amount of radiation the human body can absorb.

Emergency workers continue pouring water on troubled reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to try and avert a meltdown of nuclear cores, but say progress is slow.

Fukushima has been hit a number of explosions since last week's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands.