Predistribution of potassium iodide--the Tennessee experience

Journal Article · · Public Health Rep.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6904378

Fowinkle, E W; Sell, S H; Wolle, R H

Tennessee public health officials made a decision to predistribute potassium iodide tablets (KI) to householders in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant. The tablets would be stored until needed in the event of a radiation emergency. The officials believed that it was important to have the option available as a means of protecting nearby residents. KI, ingested before or soon after exposure to radioactive iodine, can act as a thyroid blocker to protect the gland from accepting further iodine and, therefore, the radiation. A pilot project was undertaken to deliver, door to door, a package that contained KI tablets in sufficient quantity to supply a starter dose to each member of households within a 5-mile radius of the Sequoyah nuclear power plant near Chattanooga. The package consisted of a vial of 14 130-mg tablets and a package insert from the manufacturer enclosed in a larger vial with a childproof cap. Home visitors who delivered the vials were professionals from the local public health departments, especially trained to answer questions about the project. About 66 percent of 5,591 homes accepted the medication. Extensive coverage of the project by information media was helpful in explaining local emergency plans as well as the KI distribution to the public.

• Research Organization: Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN
• OSTI ID: 6904378
• Journal Information: Public Health Rep.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Health Rep.; (United States) Vol. 98:2; ISSN PHRPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
560161 -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCIDENTS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BODY
DELIVERY
EMERGENCY PLANS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FEDERAL REGION IV
GLANDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PHOSPHORS
POPULATIONS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM IODIDES
PUBLIC HEALTH
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
TENNESSEE
THYROID
USA