[Kartographer]

Did to the news that the Department of Health and Human Services has ordered 14 million doses of potassium iodide I have recieved a good number of request for information on Potassium Iodide so I am posting this short but concise article on Potassium Iodide and Potassium Iodate and Their Use in Radiologic Emergencies.

[Kartographer]

Preppers’ PING!!

[Sir Napsalot]

Good short article, thanks.

I didn’t know some tried marketing Potassium Iodate.

[trebb]

Curious about whether potassium iodide would be of much use for "conventional" radiation threats: "Potassium Iodide is a salt which when taken in the proper amounts, can block the uptake of radioactive iodine. It is frequently marketed in tablets, under the name of “Iosat”. Administering Iosat can be very beneficial because the thyroid can be quite vulnerable to radioactive iodine in a radiologic emergency, and because this strategy can benefit us in the prevention of later thyroid cancer. It is important to realize that even when properly used and taken as directed by public health officials, that the only organ protected by this practice is the thyroid, therefore evacuation from a contaminated area is always best. Since radioactive iodine has a half life of eight days, rational evacuation of a week or two may be all that is necessary. (Supposing that in this particular emergency, only radioactive iodine is released.) Following a radiologic emergency, a combination of administering potassium iodide tablets to human beings in the target area, coupled with evacuation, even for a week or two, is usually the best course."

[DBrow]

The article mentions a “dirty bomb”, if the dirty bomb is not radioactive iodine, KI pills won’t help at all.

[FreeAtlanta]

If you have an iodine allergy (fish, shrimp, shell fish) it will kill you.

[old and tired]

I have been taking Iodoral for about two years now. I feel ten years younger. My joints aren’t as stiff, my mental clarity is better. I hate any report, like this one, that causes a run on iodine. The price on Amazon spikes. And sometimes, it even becomes unavailable. Now we keep a year’s supply for both my wife and me.

[Titan Magroyne]

FTA: Many of us have chosen to keep an adequate supply of potassium iodide tablets for potential radiologic emergency in advance of such an occurance. This way, we sidestep distribution difficulties in a time in which our governmental and public health authorities will be most occupied. The tablets being sold now, most often have an expiration date of 2017. Those with small children, or with elderly family members may wish to consider buying the liquid preparation of this drug. The liquid version of this drug is said to expire in five years and is marketed as “Thyro-Shield”. In the past, I have purchased thyroid protective medication in advance of a radiologic emergency from the following sources:

http://www.nukepills.com/ potassium iodide
http://www.tacda.org/

Great thread with keeper commentary from participants. Thanks to you, Kart, and to all posters!