Re: Potassium Iodide -Reply -Reply

["J. J. Rozental" <josrozen@netmedia.net.il>]

>Charlie Willis
>caw@nrc.gov
>At 09:54 AM 7/21/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Thus, KI has long been considered an appropriate protective measure, in
certain >circumstances; the question is whether it is appropriate for the
general >public.

Charlie, 

Going to the WHO,  and I refer to  The WHO Manual on Public Health Action in
Radiation Emergencies, EUR/ICP/EHAZ 94 13/PB  01,  we can select the
following argument on the above topic:

3.4.2 - Deterministic effects from doses of the order of several Gy in the
thyroid are only likely to occur near the source of the accident where the
route of exposure is primary  by inhalation. If    this is considered to be
possible, then iodine prophylaxis should be given to all population groups.

3.4.4 -  In regions where only stochastics effects are the cause of concern,
the present WHO guidelines recommend  that iodine prophylaxis be used  only
if exposure by inhalation is possible  or if potential exposure to
radioactive isotopes of iodine by ingestion route cannot   be prevented by
food  and milk. Special groups for concern are children, pregnant women and
lactanting women;

3.4.7 - Evidence of a marked excess of thyroid cancer in young children in
the population affected by fallout from the Chernobyl accident has now been
established. It is overhelmingly probable that the excess of thyroid cancer
has resulted from exposure to the radioactive isotopes of iodine from the
Chernobyl accident. Therefore this indicates that stable iodine prophylaxis
would be beneficial,  especially for young children, after nuclear accidents
involving releases of radioactive iodine to environment. Moreover, the
experience in Poland following the Chernobyl accident shows that the risks
of serious side effects from a single dose of stable iodine are very low
(less than 1 in 10E7) in this age groups. Risks in adults are also minimal
(less than 1 in 10E6)

3.4.14 - As mentioned in paragraph 3.4.7 current evidence reinforces the
benefits of stable iodine prophylaxis. The risks of side effects are now
believed to be minimal. WHO now advises national authorithies that they
should consider the benefits of allowing voluntary purchase by the general
public within the framework of their plans for nuclear emergencies if it is
not the practice already. Distribution of stable iodine would , however,
still remain the responsibility of the appropriate authorities.

J. J. Rozental
josrozen@netmedia.net.il
Israel