Extension of Potassium Iodide (KI) shelf life

 
In 2002, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) obtained and provided potassium iodide (chemical symbol: KI) tablets to local health departments and county emergency management agencies in counties where a nuclear power plant was located or was nearby. The agencies were to stockpile and distribute the tablets to residents in their area.

 The tablets distributed under this program had an initial shelf life of five years as established by the manufacturer. All these tablets came from manufacturer with the following lot number: P200212. The expiration date marked on the packaging of these tablets is May 2007.

Because of the action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the expiration date of tablets distributed to residents and to schools, day care centers, camps and correctional institutions between May 2002 and April 2007, with lot number P200212 are extended until May 2009 provided the tablets have been stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. These instructions are listed on the plastic envelope containing the tablets.

Read more about the shelf life extension and the KI distribution program in the documents below. You may contact the ODH Bureau of Radiation Protection at (614) 644-2727 or e-mail Bradiation@odh.ohio.gov if you have any questions about this expiration date extension.

Right-click to download these documents. You will need Adobe Acrobat software to view PDF files. Download it free on the Adobe Web site.

FDA extends shelf life of potassium iodide tablets - ODH announcement

FDA extension letter

Questions and answers about KI

Digital image of KI tablet packet (medium jpeg file 252 KB or large jpeg file 2 MB)

KI information from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

KI manufacturers

Last updated 5/2/07