Posted on 03/15/2011 1:17:55 PM PDT by traumer
Firm gets three orders per MINUTE instead of per week People missing out on tablets are 'crying' and 'terrified' Fears radiation from Japan will reach U.S. West Coast
Worried Americans are panic-buying drugs to protect themselves against the nuclear fallout in Japan, as fears grow of harmful radiation blowing across to the West Coast. Stocks of potassium iodide tablets, which aim to stop radiation poisoning the thyroid gland, are running low and customers missing out are said to be crying or terrified. Scientists have warned of a 'worst-case scenario' in which material blasted into the atmosphere after a Fukushima plant meltdown could be blown towards the U.S.
Radioactive iodine can come out of a nuclear reactor in an accident, but other experts say there is a low chance of Japan's radiation reaching the U.S. at dangerous levels. Anbex quickly sold out of a 10,000-strong supply of 14-tablet packages on Saturday. Company president Alan Morris said the firm was getting three orders per minute for the $10 Iosat packages - compared to the normal rate of as low as three per week. Those who don't get it are crying, he told the Wall Street Journal. They're terrified.
Fleming Pharmaceuticals, which makes liquid potassium iodide, say they are getting dozens of calls and emails every hour for their 45ml $13.25 ThyroShield bottles.
It actually has been insanity here, co-owner Deborah Fleming Wurdack said. The company expects to sell out this week and is planning to manufacture more.
Drug supplier Nukepills.com sold 250,000 potassium iodide pills to pharmacies, labs, companies and hospitals last weekend, president Troy Jones told Fox News. It has back-ordered more than a million tablets and donated 50,000 to Japan.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Morons.
How long are you supposed to take these tablets? What if you’re one thyroid meds? Does it only protect the thyroid?
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No, these pills do help under certain circumstances. Of course those don’t apply to anyone currently in the US.
Yes they only protect the thyroid and you should take them as long as you are exposed to radioactive Iodine. Which doesn’t apply to anyone living in the US.
Radioactive iodine has a very short life and breaks down within hours. By the time it blows from Japan to the US it will have broken down.
These pills ONLY prevent your body from absorbing the radioactive iodine and do nothing for any other nasties.
>> these pills do help under certain circumstances
I’m not debating that fact.
People in this country do NOT need them, however — and damn sure do not need to be getting hysterical because they do not have them.
“People in this country do NOT need them, however and damn sure do not need to be getting hysterical because they do not have them.”
They don’t need them for Japan, agreed. I still have my half price $500 pills available though for the next plant in the US to go.
There are much bigger threats to Americans than radiation, and there are no tablets to take for them.
US Surgeon General: Buying Iodine a “Precaution”
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Surgeon-General-Buying-Iodine-Appropriate-118031559.html
Smarter heads are saying no according to the article.
Dig a very large hole in your back yard. You’ll be safe if you do this.
Feeling better already.
My husband will be in Asia next week, routed through Tokyo for few hours. Should we look into PI? Not experienced in this area. I’m hoping his airline will find another route for him, but just in case.....
I’d say if they let them land in Tokyo they would be safe. The flight would be more risky as the plane uses external air and may fly through some stuff. Of course the air filters will help but i dont think they are NBC filters.
It wouldn’t hurt to have some on hand I suppose especially with a 7 year shelf life. I heard it doesn’t do much for adults because their thyroids aren’t really growing. Kids, on the other hand, benefit more; however, my understanding is that it prevents uptake of radioactive Iodine in the thyroid. It seems like that ought to benefit everyone so I’m not sure if I believe that it only benefits children.
Pardon my French, but my A$$.
From the posts above, you could be under bidding the last Freeper’s $249 each:)
the fact is that they damage/benefit ration ONLY makes sense if you are exposed to high levels of radiation, such as if you were within 10/15 miles of a melt down. Otherwise the side effects (possible permanent thyroid damage amongst many) are NOT worth it. Anyone in CA taking them is a fool.
“Not meant to scare you, but you should have been thinking of leaving that place a long time ago. Good weather, nice surroundings, laid-back lifestyle - whatever, dont make up for all the ills that state has bestowed on itself voluntarily along with the environmental potential disasters that can (matter of time) happen.”
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Oh your comment doesn’t ‘scare’ me....it disgusts me. There are a number of people posting on FR at any given time who have a deep envious bitterness about CA. It must make you feel great to fold your arms across your chest and scold “you should have been thinking of leaving that place a long time ago”? Oh of course your comment is a) not true and b) a useless comment to those concerned about radiation exposure. How on earth did you think your comment would scare anyone? I think the word ‘scare’ was your feeble attempt at distracting from the disgusting timing you chose to vent your hostility. The ignorance of people I have encountered on FR who talk about the ‘laid back’ lifestyle like we in CA are high school kids who won’t get a job. I often worked 60-70 hour weeks in a very high stress environment throughout the 20 years I worked at my last job until I was laid off. Yeah....laid off. GO ahead...tell me I ‘should have thought about leaving that place a long time ago’ because....it will make you feel SO good and because it will add NOTHING to this discussion.
As far as the ills bestowed on itself - they are shared by other states as well so maybe you ‘should’ tell other states to evacuate and as I understand it, you don’t win wars by ceeding land to the socialist enemy.
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