Re: ANTI-RADIATION PILLS (Iodine)

[Russ Johnson <rujohnso@nmsu.edu>]

In my opinion, I-131 in the air would not necessarily be your top concern

with a nearby nuclear excursion or attack. For a reactor breach going

airborne, just how many isotopes would be ejected, of which this pill has

absolutely no effect or interaction? A few. For an attack, does it do

anything for the intense levels of activated fallout, neutron and gamma

fields, the thermal and shock blast itself? No. I'm sure this topic has been

covered on here before. I'm just surprised it continues on! I even hear it

advertised in the US media as the anti-radiation pill. Just take it, and you

won't receive any radiation. Good grief!

-Russ



maury wrote:



> Arutz-7 News: Sunday, August 8, 2004

>

> From:      Arutz-7 Editor <news@israelnationalnews.com>

>

> 6. ANTI-RADIATION PILLS

> The IDF Homefront Command will begin distributing anti-radiation pills

> to citizens living near Israel's two nuclear reactors this evening.  The

> pills, known as Logol, are a compound of iodine that blocks absorption

> of radioactive material by shutting down the thyroid gland. Israel has

> had a stock of the pills for decades, and decided six weeks ago to

> distribute them now in case of a nuclear accident or attack.

>

> Officials have reiterated that there is no urgency or cause for concern,

> explaining that the move is nothing more than a precaution.  Defense

> Minister Mofaz noted that other countries, including Finland, Ireland,

> Switzerland, as well some U.S. states, have also taken

> measures to make anti-radiation pills more readily available to the

> public.

>

> Soldiers will knock on residents' doors this evening, and will provide

> five pills to each person, along with instructions for use.  Instruction

> #1 is not to consume the pills unless specifically instructed to do so

> by officials.

>

> The pills will be distributed to all those living within a 30-kilometer

> radius of the Dimona plant in the Negev, and within a 5-kilometer radius

> of the Nahal Sorek facility near Ashdod.

>

> Two cities have, as yet, not agreed to receive the pills.  The Mayor of

> Arad, between the Dead Sea and Dimona, says that his city is just over

> the 30-kilometer limit.  The Mayor of Yavneh, near Nahal Sorek, is also

> not interested in being included in the program.  Both

> cities apparently are concerned about the negative image that

> accompanies the pill, and an expected resultant drop in property values.

>

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