KI Question

[Mike Lantz <mlantz33@cybertrails.com>]

Could Patricia or anyone comment on these related questions:  

For neonates in Poland, I believe that the KI was administered in liquid form in maternity hospitals by medical personnel.  In the US, if a need were perceived for KI, 130 mg pills would be planned to be broken into much smaller estimated portions (16 or 32 mg?) and given to neonates by parents in a rushed situation.  Aren't there documented concerns related to KI overdosing of neonates?  Does anyone else see a difference in the Poland data and a possible experience in the US? 

Patricia Milligan:
KI was administered on day 4 of the accident, which was very late, although it is estimated that approximately a 40 to 45% reduction in thyroid burden was achieved by thyroid blocking and milk restrictions in the 11 provinces treated.  (See "The implementation of Short-term countermeasures After a Nuclear Accident, Proceeding of an NEA Workshop Stockholm", Sweden, 1-3 June 1994, OECD 1995).  But because of the low iodine concentrations in Poland, it is doubtful that any epidemiological studies could detect excess cancers resulting from the intake of radioiodine.  I think the most useful information from the Polish experience is the widespread use of KI across a population with relatively few side effects and no fatalities. 

Kevin Goldsmith:
Does anyone know if there has ever been a study done to determine the
possibility of more deaths resulting from allergic reactions to KI than
from thyroid cancer after an accident.
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