Potassium iodide as a thyroid blocker--Three Mile Island to today

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · DICP; (United States)

OSTI ID:5873817

Halperin, J A

The Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear emergency in the U.S. in March 1979 marked the first occasion when use of potassium iodide (KI) was considered for thyroid blocking of the population in the vicinity of a potentially serious release of fission products from a nuclear power reactor. In face of a demand that could not be satisfied by commercial supplies of low-dose KI drug products from the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, the Food and Drug Administration directed the manufacture and stockpiling of sufficient quantities of saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) to provide protection for one million people in the event of a large-scale release of radioiodines. Although the drug was not used, the experience of producing, stockpiling, and making ready for use a large quantity of the drug resulted in significant public policy, regulatory, and logistical issues. A number of these issues have been resolved through scientific debate and consensus, development of official guidance regarding the proper role of KI in nuclear emergencies, and the approval of New Drug Applications for KI products specifically intended for thyroid blocking in nuclear emergencies. Other issues regarding broad-scale implementation of the guidelines remain today. This paper traces the history of the development and implementation of the use of KI from pre-TMI to the present.

• Research Organization: CIBA Consumer Pharmaceuticals, Edison, NJ (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5873817
• Journal Information: DICP; (United States), Journal Name: DICP; (United States) Vol. 23:5; ISSN DAPHE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCIDENTS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
BODY
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
FEDERAL REGION III
GLANDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
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IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MAN
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PENNSYLVANIA
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POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM IODIDES
PRIMATES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
THYROID
USA
VERTEBRATES