nuclear-news

Radiation tablets for Delaware residents near nuclear plant

Delaware residents near nuclear plants urged to take tablets http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/45173 October 5, 2012 By Nichelle Polston n the next few days, residents who live within a ten mile radius of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations will have access to some pills that are usually given out during a radiation emergency.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency and Delaware Division of
Public Health will distribute potassium iodide also known as KI
tablets.  The pills are believed to help protect the thyroid gland
from ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine possibly released in a
radiation emergency. Officials say the medicine does not protect
against external radiation.  If you take a look at Delaware’s
emergency plans developed for use in a nuclear incident, you’ll notice
KI tablets are listed as one of the precautions residents should take
along with evacuation.
Delaware received the tablets due to its participation in a program
led by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The pills are only
being distributed in the event of an emergency related to radiation.
If that happens, emergency officials will inform residents in those
areas through messages on Emergency Action System radio stations. When
the emergency messages are aired they will include instructions on how
residents should react, directions to evacuation routes, emergency
reception centers, and also when to take the KI tablets.
In the meantime, the pills will be distributed next week on October
11th at the Townsend Fire Station.  They’re also available to
residents who live outside the 10 mile radius area and those who
currently want to get rid of their expired KI tablets.  Delaware
Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Planning section
can be reached for more information about the tablets at 302-659-3362.

October 5, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, USA