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POTASSIUM
IODIDE
Potassium
iodide, also known as KI, is a form of iodine. Potassium iodide
has been determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
to be a safe and effective method to block exposure to one product
of a nuclear release - radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine,
either inhaled or ingested through contaminated food or milk,
can increase a person's risk of developing thyroid cancer.
The
thyroid functions to absorb and store iodine, but it can hold
only so much, and will just as readily absorb non-radioactive
potassium iodide as radioactive iodine. Because of this, one dose
of potassium iodide, which is not harmful to the thyroid, works
by filling the gland so it cannot take up any radioactive iodine.
Important
- The protection offered by potassium iodide is very specific.
It protects one organ (thyroid gland) from one type of radiation
(radioactive iodine). Emergency directives such as evacuation,
staying indoors, (See Shelter in Place)
or restricting the use of contaminated food and milk are designed
to minimize human exposure to all types of harmful radiation that
could be released in a nuclear emergency. Taking potassium
iodide is no substitute for following emergency directives.
Treatment
guidance from the FDA (November 2001) confirms that the benefits
of potassium iodide far outweigh the rare risks of serious side
effects. This is especially true for children who are more likely
than adults to develop thyroid cancer following exposure to radioactive
iodine. Anyone who is allergic to iodine, or has dermatitis herpetiformis
or hypocomplementemic vasculitis should not take potassium
iodide.
Consult
your doctor if you have multinodular goiter, Graves' disease,
autoimmune thyroiditis, or are taking any thyroid medication.
Dosage
You
should not take potassium iodide unless directed to do
so by public health officials in the event of a radiological emergency
at Vermont Yankee. One dose of potassium iodide is good for approximately
24 hours. For best protection, one dose of potassium iodide should
be taken before or at the time of exposure, although it may still
lower the risk of thyroid cancer even if taken three or four hours
after exposure.
Exceptions
Pregnant
or lactating women should not have a repeat dose. Pregnant women,
lactating women, and newborns up to age one (1) month who have
taken potassium iodide should have medical follow-up. Because
the pills are supplied currently to the general public only in
single 130 milligram tablet size, special instructions for administering
potassium iodide to children are provided to people participating
in Vermont's pre-distribution program. Schools and child care
centers in the five Vermont Emergency Planning Zone towns have
been provided with 65 mg. potassium iodide pills to make administration
easier. However, the FDA has stated that exact measurement of
potassium iodide in an emergency is not required, and that the
dangers of overdosing are far outweighed by the overall benefits,
especially for children, in the event that radioiodines are inhaled
or ingested.
| Potassium
Iodide Dosage Recommended by the FDA |
| Risk
Group |
KI
Dose
(Milligrams) |
#
of 130 mg
Tablets |
# of 65 mg Tablets |
| Adults
over 18 years |
130 |
1 |
2 |
Pregnant
or lactating women
|
130 |
1 |
2 |
| Children
over 3 years through 18 years* |
65 |
1/2 |
1 |
| Children
over 1 month through 3 years |
32 |
1/4 |
1/2 |
| Birth
through 1 month |
16 |
1/8 |
1/4 |
*Adolescents
approaching adult size (equal or greater than 154 pounds) should
receive the full adult dose of 130 mg.
Potassium
Iodide Distribution
If
there is a serious emergency at Vermont Yankee with a radioactive
release that might contain radioiodine, people near and downwind
from the plant will be directed, through the Emergency
Alert System to take one dose of potassium iodide. To provide
the best protection, the following potassium iodide distribution
methods are being put in place:
To
Individuals - Since April 15, 2002, the Vermont Department
of Health has been making available one free dose of potassium
iodide to any person who lives or works in the five towns within
the emergency planning zone for Vermont Yankee.
If
you live or work in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Halifax,
or Vernon, you should have been contacted by the Department of
Health by mail offering you one free dose for each household member.
The form that was sent could be used to obtain the KI either by
return mail or at the Vermont Department of Health's Brattleboro
Office. In addition, your employer may have chosen to participate
in a distribution plan for your work site. As an employee, you
would have available at your work site one dose that would be
provided to you in an emergency. If you have not yet picked up
your potassium iodide and would like to, you should contact the
Vermont Department of Health's Brattleboro Office at 802-251-2160
or you may obtain more information from the Health Department's
web site at www.HealthyVermonters.info.
The
potassium iodide tablets being distributed to the general public
are small, white pills, 130 milligrams (mg) in size. They come
wrapped in foil and labeled "IOSAT" and "Dist.
by ANBEX."
To
schools, child care facilities, and institutions - A supply
of potassium iodide will be located at each participating public
school, private school, licensed or registered child care center,
hospital, nursing home, etc. Staff will be trained and their emergency
plans will include instruction for administration of potassium
iodide.
Schools
and child care centers - Participating schools or child
care centers with students age 18 or under will receive 65 milligram
potassium iodide tablets that are double scored to permit further
division to facilitate rapid distribution to large numbers of
students and staff. Use the table above
for the correct dosage. Parental consent forms will be renewed
each Fall.
Members
of the General Public
As
mentioned above, the State of Vermont has a Potassium Iodide (KI)
distribution program. Special populations such as schools, child
cares, nursing homes, hospitals and some workplaces have KI and
are prepared to administer it if directed to do so. However it
is very important for members of the public to have KI in their
possession. There could be circumstances where the public would
be directed to shelter-in-place rather than to be exposed while
evacuating during a release that might contain radioactive iodine.
In this situation members of the public will need to take the
KI that they have already obtained from the Vermont Department
of Health or a private vendor. Additionally because ingesting
KI prior to exposure to a plume containing radioactive iodine
provides the greatest protection of the thyroid, having your supply
at hand is the best course of action. The public is strongly urged
to call the Vermont Department of Health Office in Brattleboro
at 802-251-2160 and pick up a free supply of KI for themselves
and their family as soon as possible.
Note:
According to the FDA "adults over 40 need take KI only
in the case of projected large internal radiation dose to the
thyroid (>500 cGy) to prevent hypothyroidism." However
to be prepared for a worst case scenario the Vermont Department
of Health recommends that all adults who work or live in the
EPZ have one 130 mg. dose of potassium iodide. You will be informed
in EAS messages whether or not to take the potassium iodide.
Although
evacuation is generally the most effective
protective action, sheltering-in-place may be recommended and
desirable in some special circumstances.
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