Re: KI Inquiry

["Spell, Bill" <bills@deq.state.la.us>]

The adverse reaction is to the iodine, not the potassium.  Chemically, they 
both are similar, but I suspect KI is used because it may have a longer 
shelf-life, is easier to administer, manufacture, easier on the heart, some 
other reason obvious to those who have dealt with it, etc.  These are 
off-the-cuff guesses, and I'm sure someone on here knows for sure.

CULater.....

Bill
bills@deq.state.la.us
The usual disclaimers apply.
 ----------
From: radsafe
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: KI Inquiry
Date: Friday, October 18, 1996 12:23PM

     Can somebody on Radsafe explain why we use KI as a thyroid blocking
agent?  It is my understanding that the adverse reaction is to the
potassium, not the iodine.  Is this correct?  If so, why don't we use NaI?
I asume that there is a reason because the table salt makers use KI, too.
In other words, why don't we just grind up a few old gamma detector crystals
and feed them to people, or does the increased sodium intake increase the
risk of heart disease and stroke?
**********************************************************************
William G. Nabor
University of California, Irvine
EH&S Office
Irvine, CA,  92697-2725
WGNABOR@UCI.EDU
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