All Belgian residents issued with iodine tablets to protect against radiation

The Telegraph ^ | 4-28-16 | Matthew Holehouse,

[dynachrome]

The entire population of Belgium is to be issued with a ration of iodine tablets, months after warnings about the threat of Isil building a dirty bomb.

Iodine pills, which help reduce radiation build-up in the thyroid gland, had previously only been issued to people living within 20km (14 miles) of the Tihange and Doel nuclear plants.

Maggie De Block, the Health Minister, said that would be extended to 100km, covering the whole country of 11 million people, following advice from an expert council.

The pills will be sent to pharmacies, and the public would be ordered to collect their ration in the event of a meltdown. Children, pregnant women and those breast-feeding would be given priority.

[PAR35]

At this point, I’m not sure I trust the government to take any pill that they ordered me to take.

I probably got enough radiation from Chernobylized fish in my younger years that anything more probably wouldn’t matter at this point.

[dp0622]

sounds closed minded to me, but have a good one FReeper :)

[madconservative]

I was (perhaps mistakenly) under the impression that radioactive iodine was only a byproduct of fallout from a nuclear explosion pulling iodine from the earth. I thought a dirty bomb would not create radioactive iodine, but rather just spread nuclear material...?

[Toddsterpatriot]

You're right, why take a simple potassium iodide tablet when you could take some expensive, more dangerous, less effective drug that would cost billions, instead of pennies.

You should get right on that.

[dynachrome]

I should have noted that it is IODIDE, not iodine as the article had it. CDC sez:

http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp

“What is Potassium Iodide (KI)?
KI (potassium iodide) is a salt of stable (not radioactive) iodine that can help block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland, thus protecting this gland from radiation injury.

“The thyroid gland is the part of the body that is most sensitive to radioactive iodine.

People should take KI (potassium iodide) only on the advice of public health or emergency management officials. There are health risks associated with taking KI.

KI (potassium iodide) does not keep radioactive iodine from entering the body and cannot reverse the health effects caused by radioactive iodine once the thyroid is damaged.”

[dp0622]

i’ll set up my lab :)

there’s NO WAY something could be invented that would be a lot more effective?

none?

you know more than me, so if that’s the case, that’s the case.

[Toddsterpatriot]

I was (perhaps mistakenly) under the impression that radioactive iodine was only a byproduct of fallout from a nuclear explosion pulling iodine from the earth.

The iodine is a fission by-product.

I thought a dirty bomb would not create radioactive iodine, but rather just spread nuclear material...?

Right, the dirty bomb only spreads material.

If they hit a reactor, it would spread iodine. Other, easier to obtain radioactive sources would not.

[Toddsterpatriot]

there’s NO WAY something could be invented that would be a lot more effective?

Something that would stop iodine uptake, quickly, but only temporarily? Nope. And there is no need.

KI is really cheap and lasts forever.

[madconservative]

Thanks for the clarification!

[dp0622]

is that the only damage done to the body from radiation.

If it is, then i guess you’re right.

how well does it work?

[StormEye]

"Its amazing the price Europeans are willing to pay for their fantasy of “diversity.”

Well just consider the price America has been paying.

[Toddsterpatriot]

is that the only damage done to the body from radiation.

No. But radioactive iodine is really dangerous, with a half life of 8 days, and it goes right to your thyroid.

how well does it work?

It fills up your iodine storage and the radioactive iodine gets excreted. But too much iodine can make you sick and cause thyroid damage of its own, so don't take it unless they tell you there has been a release from a reactor accident, nuke explosion or, much less likely, dirty bomb with iodine.

[Gritty]

Its amazing the price Europeans are willing to pay for their fantasy of “diversity.”

So true.

We are in the same boat for all intents and purposes.

[Trod Upon]

Cynical move by BIGgov to terrify the sheep into clamoring for more BIGgov oversight of their lives?

[fingers_crossed]

I would think the bloom is off for the citizens. But as for political leaders...there is somebody pulling their strings, and that somebody is probably outside Belgium.

You can’t have every political leader in all of Europe, Britain and the US saying the same stupidity in the face of a real manifested danger; without there being some puppet master calling the shots.

[I want the USA back]

What a wonderful idea! now they can invite another million savages in.

[Boogieman]

No, that’s not the only damage done to the body by radiation.

However, if you want to protect your body from ALL the damage, you are going to have to seal yourself in a lead box or thick concrete bunker. No pill is going to accomplish that.

[armydoc]

You’re not allergic to iodine. That would be a fatal condition, as iodine is an essential element for human life. There is a popular notion that allergies to iodine-containing foods and products such as shellfish, radiologic contrast solution (for CT scans and angiograms) and surgical prep solutions like betadine represent an iodine allergy, which is false. The actual allergy in each case is to a unique component such as a muscle protein in shellfish or a carrier molecule for the contrast and prep solutions.

[Vermont Lt]

Any “dirty” bomb would affect about a square mile. A real Russian nuke would take out a big chunk of the country. These pills just just as well be baking soda.

[tumblindice]

I’ve got a few boxes of potassium iodide, sealed in foil. No idea what the shelf life is.