Posted on 06/19/2002 11:52:18 AM PDT by freeperfromnj
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- People who live within a 10-mile radius of the state's four nuclear power plants will be able to get potassium iodide tablets beginning in July, state officials said Wednesday.
The pills provide limited protection against cancer in the event of a radiation release from a terrorist attack. They're being made available as a precaution in the event of a terrorist attack.
"We have enough supplies for every person who works, visits and vacations in the area near nuclear facilities," Health and Senior Services Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy said.
Potassium iodide, chemical symbol KI, is the only medication for internal radiation exposure. But the medicine prevents only thyroid cancer by shielding the thyroid from radioactive iodine.
It blocks no other type of radiation, and Lacy warned that the pills do not protect any other part of the body.
New Jersey has four nuclear reactors: Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township and the Salem I and Salem II and Hope Creek stations in Lower Alloways Creek.
The announcement comes a month after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission began offering the pills to the 33 states with nuclear reactors.
Unless he lays in a supply of KI himself, yes.
It's good to live 3000 miles away from it.
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