Reactor accidents. Public health strategies and their medical implications

Journal Article · Fri Aug 07 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1987.03400050091033· OSTI ID:6176054

Becker, D V

In a reactor accident with release of radioactivity, the major potential public health risks are likely to result from radioiodines, particularly iodine /sup 131/, which can be readily volatilized and dispersed. They are rapidly absorbed and concentrated by the thyroid, which could result in substantial thyroidal radiation. Although some forms of radiation can cause thyroid cancer in humans, /sup 131/I has not been shown to do so, and 40 years of safe experience with this radionuclide in routine clinical thyroid testing and treatment has been reassuring. Nevertheless, since /sup 131/I has been shown to cause thyroid neoplasms in animals, efforts to minimize unwarranted exposure seem advisable. Potassium iodide, administered at an appropriate time, will effectively block thyroid uptake, but it has potential toxicity and may be difficult to distribute effectively and safely on a large scale in an emergency. Evaluation of the risks and benefits of potassium iodide use is essential to establishing sound public health policy but awaits additional scientific information.

• Research Organization: New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY
• OSTI ID: 6176054
• Journal Information: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 258:5; ISSN JAMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCIDENTS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 131
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
PLANNING
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
RISK ASSESSMENT
THYROID