A possible alternative to potassium iodide

[js_dukelow@ccmail.pnl.gov]

The recent discussion of the safety (or not) of potassium iodide has been 
interesting, but none of the correspondents have mentioned a possible 
alternative.  Several years ago there was a brief report in _Science News_ 
(Volume 128, p. 360) about research by a group, led by Prof. Kenneth Miller, 
at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center into the possibility of loading the 
thyroid with stable iodine using topical application of iodine-based 
antiseptics, specifically tincture of iodine and povidone iodine.  Briefly, 
topical application of the antiseptics blocked thyroid uptake of injected 
radioiodine I-131 as well as ingestion of potassium iodide did (the 
experimental animals were rats).  The article ended with a note that Miller's 
team was planning human tests of the idea.

The particular charm of this idea is that it seems to avoid many of the 
problems or potential problems associated with prophylatic administration of 
potassium iodide.  The iodine-based antiseptics are non-prescription drugs.  I 
assume they are "Generally Recognized as Safe" (in the formal regulatory sense 
of that phrase).  I am not aware of any problems with allergic reaction to 
topical application of these products.  Finally, they are probably already 
found in many homes and could be easily and inexpensively stocked in the rest.

I was curious what subsequent research had shown, so I chased down Professor 
Miller's email address and asked him about the rest of the story.  He replied:
 
<< Begin Miller reply >>

Our research on effectiveness of topically applied iodine culminated in 
studies in humans and was published in HEALTH PHYSICS as per the following:

Miller, K.L.; Coen, P.E.;  White, W.J.;  Hurst, W.J.;  Achey, B.E.;  Lang, 
C.M.:  "Effectiveness of Skin Absorption of Tincture of I in Blocking 
Radioiodine from the Human Thyroid Gland",   Health Physics, Vol. 56, No. 6. 
Pages 911-914, 1989.

Unfortunately, although we needed to do additional studies in order to come up 
with specific recommendations on optimum dose of tincture of iodine, ideal 
body location for application, advanages/disadvantages of occlusive dressing, 
etc. there were no TMI or Chernobyl accidents going on at the time and we 
could not obtain the funding necessary to do further studies. In all, we 
published the results of 3 studies, first in rats, secondly in dogs and 
finally, in humans. All showed promise of an alternative for those times when 
KI would not be sufficiently available.

I hope this helps. Incidentally, my phone number is (office) 717-531-8027, 
   ... . My e-mail address is kmiller@xray.hmc.psu.edu

If you need further information, please let me know. 
Regards,
Ken

<< End Miller reply >>

Best regards.

Jim Dukelow
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland, WA

js_dukelow@pnl.gov

The message has not been reviewed and/or approved by either my management or 
by the U.S. Department of Energy.