Re: KI Inquiry

[Doug Turner <turners@earthlink.net>]

Mike,

After Chernobyl KI was widely distributed in eastern Europe with very few
reactions and no deaths that I am aware of.  In the US we routinely use
iodized salt and KI would provide little additional protection so the
benefit is questionable.  Likewise, Japan has a high iodine dietary intake,
but I heard that Eastern European diets were iodine deficient, and it did
make a big difference there... perhaps someone who was at the scene can
verify this.

Doug Turner <turners@earthlink.net>

At 12:41 PM 10/17/96 -0500, you wrote:
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>
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>     If general use of KI by the general public could result in a severe
>     reaction including death to a small percentage of users, why in
>     heaven's name would the federal government recommend it's use at 25
>     rem, a dose at which the radiation effects are possibly zero and at
>     worst trivial or insignificant?
>
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>This EM is response to inquiry on use of potassium iodide (KI) in radiological 
>accidents.  The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published guidance on 
>use of the drug as a prophylactic for the thyroid when projected doses to the 
>gland reach 25 rem or more.  Administer 130 mg KI to adults, and to children 1 
>year or older, daily during exposure.  For maximum effectiveness, administer 
>immediately before or after exposure begins, but it will have substantial 
>effect if given up to four hours after an acute exposure.
>
>Note that a small percentage of the population may have an adverse reaction to 
>the drug, e.g. nausea or a metallic taste, of mild and transient nature.  
>However, an even smaller percentage may have a severe and life-threatening 
>reaction requiring prompt medical attention.  It is wise to have a physician 
>involved in your planning and decision to distribute KI.
>
>For a copy of the FDA recommendations, or other info, send me your postal 
>address or fax number at DLT@FDADR.CDRH.FDA.GOV.  You may also call me in 
>Maryland at (301) 827-0012.
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