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Re: Public Potassium Iodide Information
some comments on your web site:
1) Iodine is one of many radioactive isotopes released during a nuclear power plant accident or nuclear weapons detonation, KI is effective only against internally depositied radioactive iodine. Your web site implies that radioactive iodine is the major component of concern. In fact as seen at the TMI-2 accident, the amount of noble gases released
was about 650,000 times as much as the amount of radioactive iodine and KI doesn't protect you against noble gas exposure.
2) the amount of radioactive iodine released at TMI was trivial...about 15 curies. The maximum iodine concentrations in Poland were significantly less than the current 10 CFR 20 effluent release limits. In order to cause thyroid cancer, there must be enough iodine, additionally, Poland interdicted food and milk supplies. and the authorities in Poland also only recommended one dose of KI. Your web site suggests that the reason the Polish poeple didn't see the same increases in thyroid cancer is because of KI.... and that's not the whole picture...selective reporting like this is irresponsible. (and I'm assuming that you are trying to be responsible).
3) the FDA is revising the KI guidance.. World Health Organization recommends only 12.5 mg to neonates and infants, has a step increase in doses by age. Safety beyond single doses is unknown. Poland implemented the above mentioned WHO KI guidance. WHO also recommends that individuals over 45 do not take KI....as their risk of thyroid cancer is essentially zero.
4) at each nuclear power plant, there is an emergency notification siren system to alert citizens to a general emergency condition at a nuclear power plant. local officials will be notified and will notify citizens. It is somewhat irresponsible to suggest to people that they scan radio transmissions between workers at power plants and then drawn their own conclusions from these discussions. You my end up with a lot of people sitting with their fingers on the "KI" button and ingesting KI when it is not needed or administering it to their children when it is not needed. The safety of multiple doses of KI has not been established, especially in young children. As the FDA will tell you, because a drug is sold over the counter doesn't mean that it is free from side effects.
5) because there is an alert, unusual event , site area emergency or even general emergency at a nuclear power plant does not mean that radioactive iodine will be released, it does not mean that any effluents will be released.
6) IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT THYROID BLOCKING BY KI HAS LIMITED EFFECTIVENESS, KI IS NOT A MAGIC "RADIATION PILL" (as has been reported in popular media). KI is effective only when ingested within 6 hours of radioactive iodine exposure. It is possible to contract thyroid cancer even if one has ingested KI , since the thyroid gland is susceptible to the effects of external exposure of radiation and KI won't block the thyroid gland from external radiation exposure.
7)Concerned citizens should consult their doctors prior to ingesting KI. This is especially important when dosing children.
Additionally, you should list your name, experience and credentials on your web site. Since you are so freely dispensing advice it would be useful for people to have a gauge as to the credentials of the author. You have interpreted and quoted many sources...an complete bibliography of your sources would also be useful
Just my thoughts only.
PA Milligan, CHP
>>> Shane Connor <shanec@gvtc.com> 11/01 2:56 PM >>>
Radsafers,
Recent growing public interest in KI, fueled by NRC discussions
and media coverage of it, along with Y2K concerns of increased
nuclear accident and/or terrorism vulnerabilities, has pointed
up the lack of reliable KI information, readily accessible by
the public.
As an initial draft to bring together on one FAQ page the
answers to the typical questions the general public might ask,
I recently put up the Potassium Iodide Radiation Protection FAQ.
http://www.ki4u.com/
This is an ongoing research project that I am committed to
assuring is both accurate and comprehensive with practical
KI information appropriate for the general public.
However, I admittedly do not possess the credentials,
nor the experience, of many regulars here on this list.
Before this FAQ possibly has a wider net audience, I am
inviting comments and/or suggestions from any here who are
so inclined to review it and share their thoughts.
This KI FAQ page holds the potential to do much good, but
not if it inadvertently propagates anything potentially
misleading or, by omission, fails to tell the 'whole story'.
I'm eager to modify and 'fine-tune' it, wherever indicated.
I appreciate and look forward to any and all critique offered,
either here at RADSAFE or via my e-mail at webmaster@ki4u.com.
Best Regards,
Shane Connor
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