Potassium Iodide: Minimizing Down Wind Radiation Exposure from Japan

TheDocIsIn has done our homework for us (I live less than 20 miles from the ocean off the coast of Los Angeles):

Living on the west coast of the United States and concerned about potential down wind effect of Japan’s nuclear reactors “melting down”, we were prompted to call a number of local stores (within a 30 mile radius) seeking potassium iodide tablets. None were available. Several online sources were “sold out”. This prompted an Internet search on the topic and the information copied below was most helpful...

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UPDATE RE: Potassium Iodide for Prevention of Internal Uptake of Radioactive Iodine

Issue:

Questions about use of potassium iodide during current crisis in Japan

Details:

Health care providers, call center staff etc, are being inundated with questions and requests about purchasing potassium iodide products in the wake of Japan's current nuclear power plant crisis.

Directives:

In the mean time, to assist clinicians who are being pummeled with requests for potassium iodide and/or questions about the use of potassium iodide during the current crisis, please refer to the FAQs posted by the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. These FAQs should assist in educating both yourself and your patients about this issue.

California Dept. of Public Health FAQ:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/RadiationFAQS2011.aspx

CDC Info about Potassium Iodide:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp#howmuchki