U.S. Postal Service - Equipping Workers with Potassium Iodide

Associated Press ^ | 12/02/02 | SIOBHAN McDONOUGH

[varina davis]

I bought mine online here: http://www.anbex.com/

[Mugwumps]

The idea, as I understand it, is to load the thyroid with iodine to the max so that it will not absorb radioactive iodine in a nuclear emergency situation.

Another way to load up the thyroid with iodine, inexpensively, is to start taking one drop a day of Lugol's solution of iodine (which is very cheap). This helps offset the iodine deficiency many Americans experience now that we eat less (iodized) salt. A drop a day can be taken indefinitely by those not allergic to iodine, and may also serve to prevent some cancers, including breast cancer. It does not reverse breast cancer, but it can prevent those cells that are pre-cancerous from developing into cancer. It may also help prevent prostate cancer.

[NRA2BFree]

I got mine, and enough for 20 more people. They're not expensive and it's worth it to be able to help someone who is clueless. ;-)

[Squantos]

ROTFLMBO !!! Priceless !!!!

Stay Safe !!

[all4one]

Thank you, I have some of these links under my "Favorites" in my Explorer tool bar. I think it is time to make some purchases.

[Orange1998]

Didn't mean to be picky, . Actually most drivers have no idea what they pay in gasoline sales tax. If the gasoline tax and (not forget the telephone tax) was idiemized on reciept I think consumers would protest.

[Orange1998]

OOPS! wrong thread. sorry for post.

[ASA Vet]

Darn, there went that plan. I sure can't leave now and miss the free pills bennies.
On the other hand, it's my understanding that Thai food will offer the same protection.
Maybe I should state that in our menu. "Thai food prevents nuclear stuff."

[Wonder Warthog]

"Agreed. There is no excuse for not having them at home, in your car, and at work. They are cheap and safe, and will save you and your family from a long painful death in the event of exposure via a dirty bomb (which could be unleashed absolutely anywhere.)"

The only way this would work is if the ONLY radioisotope used in said dirty bomb was radioactive iodine--potassium iodide is USELESS for any other isotope or form of radiation. The only way that this would be useful is if the "dirty bomb" was built using radwaste from old nuclear reactor fuel rods.

[FreeAtlanta]

If you think that small pox vaccines have side effects with some people, you haven't seen nothin, yet. A lot of people have idodine allergies and these pills can kill them. That is why they are usually only distributed in an emergency.

I wonder if the DNC is going to encourage it's trial lawyer constituency to sue the pill makers or the USPS. Wait, can they sue the USPS?

[templar]

As you seem so well versed on this subject, I have to ask a question. I am allergic to iodine ...

Actually, I'm not all that well versed. But, I do a great deal of research on everything I contemplate before doing it. This makes me an absolute expert on me.

I'm not qualified to comment on what to do with an iodine allergy. I would suggest a physician for a definitive answer (if you use the medical system). Other than that, I heard a (self proclaimed) expert on the subject on a talk radio show a number of years ago saying that you should take the iodine anyway if there was an actual radiation problem in the area if you could tolerate the allergic reaction. He seemed to think the long term cancer risk was greater then the short term allergic reaction (Again, I would consult a physycian before taking this advice seriously).

[NautiNurse]

He seemed to think the long term cancer risk was greater then the short term allergic reaction

I have witnessed a short term allergic reaction to iodine. It was immediate anaphylaxis and death in the hospital setting. I wouldn't recommend taking iodine with a known allergy to it.

[katana]

My wife was surprised when ours arrived in the mail. Then I described the path of the jet stream from the Hindu Kush trans-Pacific to the northern Midwest and explained how fond subcontinent Muslims and Hindus are of each other. I think she "gets it" now. Dirty bomb and suitcase nuke rumors also make keeping a supply of PI advisable.

[tracer]

This is not a bad idea, given that USPS workers are potentially at risk for exposure to any number of harmful agents introduced into the postal system.

That said, it should be understood that potassium iodide (or iodate) will only prevent the accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid and will do nothing else.

The employees also should be counseled against regularly taking the tablets as prophylaxis against exposure to radioisotopic iodine, given that immediate post-exposure ingestion of the tablets will suffice. However, postal and other vulnerable facilities should be equipped with devices which will quickly detect gamma and beta emissions.

Radioiodine emits gamma energy for the most part. As for other radiation hazards, one can only hope that adequate decon can be implemented soon after an exposure incident.

Perhaps it owuld be useful for all such emloyees to wear the film badges worn by scientists, technicians, and certain medical service providers.

I wore such a film badge, which was "read" every month for over twenty years and have on file a record of my lifetime radiation exposure. Such may be appropriate for all personnel at risk........

[katana]

How common is allergic response to iodine and is it something which one would normally be advised about by a doctor, particularly if your children were susceptible ? When I was a kid a dilute of iodine was a normal thing to apply to a wound.

[tracer]

"The only way that this would be useful is if the "dirty bomb" was built using radwaste from old nuclear reactor fuel rods."

Not necessarily. A small envelope stained with a drop or so of a solution containg radioisotopic iodine, chromium, cesium, etc., etc. could wreak havoc whether or not significant levels of radiation were involved......

[tracer]

Pardon my logic-lapse. I agree that potassium iodide would only be useful against radioiodine....

[NautiNurse]

I do not have statistics for the frequency of iodine allergy. You should definitely discuss potassium iodide pills with your physician before giving them to your children.

Allergies can develop any time, even if previous exposure does not produce a reaction. However, once an allergic response is produced by the body, further exposure to the allergen can increase the severity of the body's response.

[BearCub]

You could still die from exposure to radiation just not from thyroid cancer? Is that what you are saying

Yes, you could still die from cancer. Or radiation sickness - which is what most short term survivors would die from. Potassium Iodide works well to prevent thyroid cancer but not the above. The reason you want potassium iodide is that the thyroid is the only organ that will collect and store radioactive material (iodine) - the potassium iodide 'fills' the thyroid so it doesn't store the radioactive stuff.

[katana]

Thank you. That's important advice.