nuclear-news

The distribution will take place Monday from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Lower Alloways Creek Township Municipal Building at 501 Locust Island Road in Hancocks Bridge.

Potassium iodide, or KI pills, help stop the thyroid gland from absorbing cancer-causing radioactive iodine in case a nuclear plant accident. The thyroid is the body part most sensitive to radioactive iodine.

“Should there be an accidental release, radiation could affect anyone within 10 miles of the generating center,” said Freeholder Robert Vanderslice, chair of the county’s Health Committee, in announcing the distribution.

PSEG Nuclear operates three reactors — Salem 1, Salem 2 and Hope Creek —” at its generating facility on Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township. The three plants comprise the second-largest nuclear generating facility in the United States.

In Salem County, the towns within the 10-mile radius of the plants include all or parts of Elsinboro, Lower Alloways Creek, Salem, Pennsville, Mannington and Quinton.

KI pills are distributed in individual foil packets and envelopes. The pills are to be kept on hand in case of an emergency…….

Similar distributions for Cumberland County and Delaware residents who live within the 10-mile radius of Artificial Island have also taken place through their heath departments. http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2016/04/radiation-blocking_ki_pills_to_be_distributed_arou.html