Frequently
Asked Questions About Potassium Iodide
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What is potassium iodide?
Potassium iodide is a salt, similar to table salt.
Its chemical symbol is KI. It is routinely added to table salt
to make it "iodized." Potassium iodide, if taken in time
and at the appropriate dosage, blocks the thyroid gland's uptake
of radioactive iodine and thus could reduce the risk of thyroid
cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure
to radioactive iodine that could be dispersed in a severe nuclear
accident.
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What is the role
of potassium iodide in radiological emergency preparedness?
The purpose of radiological emergency preparedness
is to protect people from the effects of radiation exposure after
an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation is the most effective
protective measure in the event of a radiological emergency because
it protects the whole body (including the thyroid gland and other
organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure pathways. However,
in situations when evacuation is not feasible and in-place sheltering
is substituted as an effective protective action, administering
potassium iodide is a reasonable, prudent, and inexpensive supplement
to evacuation and sheltering.
Potassium iodide is a special kind of protective measure
in that it offers very specialized protection. Potassium iodide
protects the thyroid gland against internal uptake of radioiodines
that may be released in the unlikely event of a nuclear reactor
accident.
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What is the benefit
of taking potassium iodide during a radiological accident?
When potassium iodide is ingested, it is taken up
by the thyroid gland. In the proper dosage, and taken at the appropriate
time, it will effectively saturate the thyroid gland in such a way
that inhaled or ingested radioactive iodines will not be accumulated
in the thyroid gland. The risk of thyroid effects is reduced.
Such thyroid effects resulting from radioiodine uptakes due to
inhalation or ingestion, or both, could result in acute, chronic,
and delayed effects. Acute effects from high doses include thyroiditis,
while chronic and delayed effects include hypothyroidism, thyroid
nodules, and thyroid cancer.
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Does this rule
imply that America's nuclear reactors are less safe?
The rule does not imply that the present generation
of nuclear power plants are less safe than previously thought.
On the contrary, present indications are that nuclear power plant
safety has significantly improved since the existing current emergency
preparedness requirements became effective after the Three Mile
Island-2 accident in 1979.
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Why does the rule
require States to consider the use of potassium iodide instead of
mandating its use?
The NRC will not require use of potassium iodide by
the general public because the NRC believes that current emergency
planning and protective measures--evacuation and sheltering--are
adequate and protective of public health and safety. However, the
NRC recognizes the supplemental value of potassium iodide and the
prerogative of the States to decide the appropriateness of the use
of potassium iodide by its citizens.
The NRC believes the final rule together with the
decision to provide funding for the purchase of a States's supply
of potassium iodide strikes a proper balance between encouraging
(but not requiring) State authorities to take advantage of the benefits
of potassium iodide.
By requiring consideration of the use of potassium
iodide, the Commission recognizes the important role of States and
local governments in matters of emergency planning.
This rule applies to States and Tribal governments
that have a nuclear power plant within their borders and populations
within the 10-mile emergency planning zone and to local governments
designated by States to request funding for potassium iodide.
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What does it mean
for a State to consider the use of potassium iodide?
A State considering the use of potassium iodide would
at least review the regulation (66
FR 5427; January 19, 2001 ), the Federal
Policy on the Use of Potassium Iodide, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) guidelines "Potassium
Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies," the FEMA guidelines, and the NRC disclaimer, and would briefly
deliberate the State's position on the use of potassium iodide by
the general public in the unlikely event of a severe nuclear reactor
accident.
In NRC's experience, States periodically review their
emergency preparedness plans to ensure that the plans are up-to-date
and account for the possibility of changed circumstances in any
locality. The NRC expects that States that routinely schedule periodic
reviews of their emergency preparedness plans would consider use
of potassium iodide during their first scheduled review. NRC expects
that States that do not routinely conduct such reviews would consider
the use of potassium iodide whenever they schedule periodic emergency
preparedness exercises.
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What kinds of
things should States consider in deciding whether to incorporate
the use of potassium iodide in their emergency planning?
Considerations to be evaluated by the State and local
authorities in deciding whether to institute a program for the use
of potassium iodide by the general public include the following:
- Whether potassium iodide should be distributed
to the general population before an accident occurs or as soon
as possible after an accident occurs?
- Whether the risks of exposure to radioactivity
will be lower if the evacuation of the general population is initiated
(with or without the use of potassium iodide) or if the general
population is sheltered and the administration of potassium iodide
initiated?
- How potassium iodide will be distributed during
an emergency?
- What assumptions should be made about its actual
availability and use in the event of an incident if potassium
iodide is predistributed?
- What medical assistance will be available for the
individuals who may have some adverse reaction to potassium iodide?
- How medical authorities will advise the population
to take potassium iodide and under what circumstances this advice
will be given, i.e., methods for public education, information,
and instruction?
- How the authorities will provide potassium iodide
to transient populations?
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What are the recommended
dosages of potassium iodide?
The FDA is the Federal agency responsible for decisions
about appropriate thresholds and dosages for use of potassium iodide.
The FDA published their final guidelines on the use of potassium
iodide and included revised dosages and intervention levels, "Potassium
Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies."
Additionally, the FDA has published guidance on Home
Preparation Procedure for Emergency Administration of Potassium
Iodide Tablets to Infants and Small Children and also answered
Frequently
Asked Questions on Potassium Iodide (KI) . Current Status. To
facilitate use of KI in emergency situations, on December 23, 2002,
the FDA published Guidance
for Industry KI in Radiation Emergencies - Questions and Answers.
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Can individual
members of the public obtain potassium iodide?
The FDA has approved potassium iodide as an over-the-counter
medication. As with any medication, individuals should check with
their doctor or pharmacist before using it.
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Why is KI only
being provided to the 10-mile EPZ around nuclear power plants?
The population closest ( within the 10 mile EPZ) to
the nuclear power plant are at greatest risk of exposure to radiation
and radioactive materials. The purpose of radiological emergency
preparedness is to protect people from the effects of radiation
exposure after an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation
is the most effective protective measure in the event of a radiological
emergency because it protects the whole body (including the thyroid
gland and other organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure
pathways. However, in situations when evacuation is not feasible,
in-place sheltering is substituted as an effective protective action.
In addition, administering potassium iodide is a reasonable, prudent,
and inexpensive supplement to both evacuation and sheltering. When
the population is evacuated out of the area, and potentially contaminated
foodstuffs are interdicted, the risk from further radioactive iodine
exposure to the thyroid gland is essentially eliminated.
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Why is the NRC
only providing two KI tablets per person?
The tablets are to be used, if necessary, to supplement
evacuation or sheltering. After individuals have evacuated the area,
then they will no longer be exposed to significant quantities of
radioiodines. The KI tablets, if taken at the appropriate dosage
and time, block the thyroid gland, preventing uptake of radioactive
iodine. Any radioactive iodine taken into the body after consumption
of KI, will be rapidly removed from the body. The two tablets will
provide approximately 48 hours of protection to the thyroid gland.
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Will KI be effective
in case of a terrorist attack or dirty bomb?
If a terrorist attack either at a nuclear power plant
or with a "dirty" bomb, radioactive iodine would have
to be released in order for potassium iodide (KI) to be needed.
Potassium iodide protects the thyroid gland only against the internal
uptake of radioiodines.
A nuclear power plant will make protective action
recommendations based on current emergency plans, which may include
the recommendation to take KI as a supplement to evacuation and/or
sheltering. In the case of a dirty bomb, protective actions will
be made according to the threat presented. If the bomb contained
radioactive iodine, then the use of KI may be appropriate. However,
radioactive iodine is not considered to be a viable component of
a dirty bomb due to its relatively short half-life and the difficulties
in obtaining significant quantities. More information on dirty
bomb and response
to terrorist activities can be found on the Nuclear
Security and Safeguards web page.
FAQ Potassium Iodide by FDA
In November 2001, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) issued a final "Guidance on Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid
Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies." The objective of
the document is to provide guidance to other Federal agencies, including
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC), and to state and local governments regarding the
safe and effective use of potassium iodide (KI) as an adjunct to
other public health protective measures in the event that radioactive
iodine is released into the environment. The adoption and implementation
of the recommendations are at the discretion of the state and local
governments responsible for developing regional emergency-response
plans related to radiation emergencies. The recommendations in the
guidance address KI dosage and the projected radiation exposure
at which the drug should be used. This guidance updates FDA’s
1982 recommendations.
Editor’s note: I bought
our potassium iodide for everyone at the office from iherb.com
First Published: early April 2003
Updated: April 2007
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