nuclear-news

Anti-radiation pills for people living near nuclear plants

People who live, work near TMI pick up anti-radiation pills
by MONICA VON DOBENECK, Of The Patriot-News  September 01, 2009,
“……………free doses of potassium iodide being distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in case of a radioactive release. The potassium iodide pills can partially protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure if there is a nuclear accident. They are being distributed over the next few days to anyone who lives or works within ten miles of the state’s five nuclear power plants………..

Alice Gray, director of community health systems for the Department of Health, said the state last distributed the pills in 2002, but those expired Monday. The state has enough tablets for the 1.2 million people within the 10-mile radius of the five nuclear plants, she said. She did not know how many will take advantage of the free distribution.

The potassium iodide, or KI pills, protect the thyroid gland against radioactive iodine that may be released in an emergenc……………..The pills do not protect against other forms of cancer or illnesses caused by radiation…

….The state has five nuclear plants: Three Mile Island, Beaver Valley Power Station, Limerick Generating Station, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.

People who live, work near TMI pick up anti-radiation pills – PennLive.com

September 3, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, environment, USA | antinuclear, nuclear costs, radiation, radioactive, uranium