Posted on 03/17/2011 10:48:11 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The radiation from Japan’s nuclear power plant crisis has spurred a dramatic increase in sales of Potassium Iodide in the United States, reports The Huffington Post.
Potassium Iodide, also called KI, is a salt of non-radioactive iodine. In cases of radiological or nuclear events, people at high risk of radiation exposure may take potassium iodide to prevent radiation damage to the thyroid gland with can develop into cancer. It works by flooding the thyroid gland with non-radioactive iodine, preventing absorption of radioactive iodine. It does not cure the thyroid gland after radiation exposure or provide any measure of radiation protection to other organs in the body.
People on the west coast of the U.S. have been buying up supplies of potassium iodide due to fears of radiation drifting from Japan, despite government attempts to curb the panic by saying there is no radiation danger.
Consumers in the United States can purchase potassium iodide over the counter without a prescription. There are currently three such products on the market approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Iosat Tablets manufactured by Anbex, Inc. of Virginia, ThyroSafe Tablets (65 mg) produced by Recipharm in Sweden and ThyroShield Solution (65 mg/mL) made by Fleming & Company Pharmaceuticals in Fenton, MO.
Consumers should be aware of counterfeit and unapproved potassium iodide products.
“The FDA is alerting consumers to be wary of internet sites and other retail outlets promoting products making false claims to prevent or treat effects of radiation or products that are not FDA-approved,” the FDA said. “These fraudulent products come in all varieties and could include dietary supplements, food items, or products purporting to be drugs, devices or vaccines.”
The FDA said consumers should be wary of the following:
claims that a product not approved by FDA can prevent or treat the harmful effects of radiation exposure; suggestions that a potassium iodide product will treat conditions other than those for which it is approved, i.e., KI floods the thyroid with non-radioactive iodine and prevents the uptake of the radioactive molecules, which are subsequently excreted in the urine; promotions using words such as “scientific breakthrough,” “new products,” “miraculous cure,” ”secret ingredient,” and ”ancient remedy”; testimonials by consumers or doctors claiming amazing results; limited availability and advance payment requirements; promises of no-risk, money-back guarantees; promises of an “easy” fix; and, claims that the product is “natural” or has fewer side effects than approved drugs.
Don't be fooled by professional-looking web sites. Avoid web sites that fail to list the company's name, physical address, phone number or other contact information.
Even with FDA approved potassium iodide, there are risks of adverse health effects. People should take only the dose recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
According to the CDC, “Newborn infants (less than 1 month old) who receive more than one dose of KI are at particular risk for developing a condition known as hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone levels that are too low). If not treated, hypothyroidism can cause brain damage. Infants who receive KI should have their thyroid hormone levels checked and monitored by a doctor. Avoid repeat dosing of KI to newborns.”
Some people, those with iodine sensitivity, may suffer allergies to the drug. People with skin disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis or urticaria vasculitis should also not take the drug. Those with multinodular goiter, Graves' disease and autoimmune thyroiditis must be cautious when taking potassium iodide.
...meanwhile everyone in Tokyo is going about their business largely as usual.
Also all the alpha and most if not all the beta radiation cannot reach us. At least these are low dose pills, if not we would have 100s of cases of hyperkalemia
Hmm, I believe it is potassium iodate, not potassium iodide. And yes it does protect the thyroid from radiation. This article is total goddam crap.
They would really freak out if they knew about all the nuclear bombs detonated in tests here...
It’s the particles that hurt you. They emit radiation. And they can travel very far. The issue is whether there will be enough particles emmitted to get to a distant location in any level of concentration to pose a danger.
How is that so? The article never says it doesn’t work to protect the thyroid.
And far too many of them vote.
How could the American public be so hopelessly ignorant? This sad state of ignorance is what gives life to the most toxic forms of radioactive policy. The harm they do to their body from Potassium Iodide parallels the harm they do to the body politics and freedom in America.
Yes, but those particles still have to travel to the US to be deadly. As of right now the only real danger could be gamma rays and there really isn’t much you can do about those except be under a couple feet of concrete and lead.
My bad. I misread a sentence. They still got the name of the substance wrong though.
hawaii is the US and its not that far from japan. So is guam and wake island.
Potassium iodate is not FDA-approved. Potassium iodine is, made by the three drug makers listed.
*iodide
Yes, but as we know Guam is going to capsize anyways.
Junk science is having a holiday with this. I heard today that someone had been testing airline pasengers when they arrived and that they had slightly elevated radiation levels. Could the fact that these people had just spent some major time above most of the atmosphere maybe mean something?
Bingo!
Next they’ll be setting up testing stations in the smoke detector aisle at Wal-Mart.
Bricks will register radioactive levels - normal bricks!
Not to worry, Janet Nincompoop is already having passengers and cargo from Japan screened for any possible radiation. Our tax dollars at work. I read this on the Drudge report. LORD GOD, please have mercy on us and send Jesus for his bride and get us out of here.
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