RE: [Fwd: [OEM] [OEM!] US Bill: Mandatory KI Stockpiling]

[Tim <tstead@ntirs.org>]

Hyperkalemia (high potassium level in the blood) can

easily cause asystole (cardiac arrest).  The heart

works by having an electrolyte potential across the

cell membrane and potassium plays an important role in

myocardial repolarization.  In hyperkalemia, the heart

cells cannot repolarize and therefore asystole ensues.



Hyperkalemia is nothing to mess around with.  The

heart does NOT like too much potassium at all.



So, I guess if we distribute KI, then we should also

distribute CaCl becuase CaCl is used to treat

hyperkalemia.  Problem is, CaCl in improper doses can

also cause cardiac arrest!  Its a loose-loose

situation unless you know what you are doing.



Of course, patients taking cardiac glycosides (e.g.

digitalis) are even more susceptible to harmful side

effects.



So, how do you know if you have too much K in your

blood?  Well, you could hook yourself up to a cardiac

monitor and lok for peaked T waves.  I guess we now

should distribute cardiac monitors with each KI dose?



I think I have made my point.



Tim Steadham, P.E.



--- BLReider@AOL.COM wrote:

> I have heard some discussion in past years on

> distributing KI elsewhere, but don't remember

> details. 

> 

> I believe I read about a similar program where KI

> was distributed and people in the public sector

> immediately ingested the alotment of KI as they were

> frightened of a potential future event.

> 

> The evaluation of the program needs to consider the

> following (which I believe some of this group can

> answer):

> 

> 1.  What is the risk of adverse affects from

> ingestion of KI?  Is there an electrolyte effect

> from K?  What happens when children have too much K?

> 

> 2.  What education process will prevent people from

> misusing KI?

> 

> 3.  What is the shelf life of KI?

> 

> 4.  What distribution process would ensure that the

> stockpiles are up to date including as persons move

> within the 50 mi radius?

> 

> 5.  What are the risks of NOT taking KI?

> 

> 6.  What is the cost of this ongoing program?

> 

> 

> 



> ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 

> From: "Marthaller, Chris" <Chris.Marthaller@wipp.ws>

> To: radsafe <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

> Subject: RE: [Fwd: [OEM] [OEM!] US Bill: Mandatory

> KI Stockpiling]

> Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 13:04:41 -0700

> Reply-to: "Marthaller, Chris"

> <Chris.Marthaller@wipp.ws>

> 

> Doesn't Iodine also tend to chemically bond very

> well with Cesium which

> mitigates offsite Iodine releases?  And yes, that

> there iodized salt keeps

> most thyroids pretty saturated one would think.

> 

> Chris A. Marthaller, RRPT

> Sr. Training Coordinator, WIPP

> (505) 234-8661

> Chris.Marthaller@wipp.ws

> I alone am to blame for my statements.

> "If we keep doing what we are doing, we will keep

> getting what we are

> getting." ANON

> *************************************************

> 2. US plants are a wet design which mitigates very

> well the accidental release of I-131.

> 

> 4. People living in the USA have diets much richer

> in

> iodine and thus are not as susceptible to the same

> consequnces.

> 

> Tim

>

******************************************************

> 

> >

>

http://www.house.gov/markey/iss_terrorism_pr011114.htm

> > >

> > > News from Ed Markey

> > > United States Congress

> > > Massachusetts Seventh District

> > >

> > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2001

> 

>

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