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Terrorism
and Nuclear Reactors:
Potassium Iodide
- Iodine concentrates in the thyroid where
the internal dose of radiation from inhaled or ingested radioiodine
is magnified.
- The largest observed health consequence of
the Chernobyl disaster (measured in terms of people affected)
has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer
among children exposed to radioactive iodine (mostly in the form
131I). As many as 2,000 people exposed have already developed
thyroid cancer, and the United Nations estimates another 8,000
to 10,000 cases over the next 10 years.
- Although radiation-induced thyroid cancer
does not usually result in death, it is still a serious disease
requiring lifelong hormone-replacement therapy. A significant
number of thyroid cancer patients also develop potentially serious
complications.
- Thyroid damage and cancer can be prevented
by the use of stable iodine in the form of the salt potassium
iodide (KI).
- KI saturates the thyroid with stable iodine
and blocks the gland’s uptake of radioiodine.
- When administered properly, KI has a high
degree of success in preventing thyroid cancers among children.
- In the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident,
KI was distributed over a wide area of Poland with a low incidence
of side effects (mild gastrointestinal distress or rash). Those
with known sensitivity to iodine should avoid taking KI, because
they may suffer an allergic reaction.
- KI is most effective in blocking the uptake
of radioactive iodine when administered shortly before exposure
and with reduced effectiveness within a few hours afterward.
- Both the Food and Drug Administration, and
World Health Organization recommend that KI administration be
included in emergency planning along with evacuation, sheltering,
and food control in the event of a large radioactive release.
- KI only protects against the health effects
of radiation from radioactive iodine. It is to be used in conjunction
with evacuation, sheltering, and/or other emergency procedures
to prevent adverse effects from exposure to other harmful isotopes
such as 137Cs (cesium-137).
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has offered
states with or near nuclear power plants KI for residents within
a 10-mile radius of a reactor. New Jersey has accepted this offer,
but a final decision on stockpiling or distribution has not yet
been made.
Prepared by the Princeton University
Woodrow Wilson School undergraduate task force on Nuclear Reactor
Terrorism, May 2002. Prepared for the Coalition for Peace Action
as part of the Princeton University Community Based Learning Initiative.
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