| Potassium Iodide (KI)
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) continues to monitor the current nuclear power plant emergencies in Japan. Ohio has a plan for response to radiological emergencies if one were to arise. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to Ohio. ODH does not expect any health risk following the nuclear reactor releases in Japan, nor is the consumption of potassium iodide tablets a necessary precaution.
In 2002, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) participated in a program sponsored by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to supply potassium iodide (KI) pills to the general public within the 10 mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) around each commercial nuclear power plant. In Ohio, the KI provided by the NRC is from bore lot number P200212. KI with this lot number expired May 31, 2009. After this date, KI with lot number P200212 should be disposed of by those members of the general public possessing it. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency recommends doing this by placing the expired KI in the household trash.
In September of 2008, ODH ordered replacement KI from the NRC. This KI was received in May 2009 and bears one of two lot numbers: TU801A, which expires on Oct. 31, 2014, or TU902A, which expires on Dec. 31, 2014. The new KI will be distributed to the county and local health departments within the affected areas.
The new shipment of KI is slightly different from that obtained in 2002. The new KI is in the form of 65-milligram (mg) tablets, whereas the past KI was in the form of 130-mg. tablets. In the past, an adult dose of KI was a single 130-mg. tablet. This provided a day’s worth of protection from radioiodines. In order to receive the same level of protection from the new shipment, an adult will need to take two of the 65-mg. tablets. These new tablets come from the manufacturer in boxes of 20. One box can provide five adults with two days' worth KI.
During 2002, ODH provided funding to the local and county health departments in an effort to raise public awareness of KI and distribute it to the general public. This program was referred to as pre-distribution. While response to this campaign was strong in some areas, overall the effort did not generate a large response from the affected populations. Therefore, in light of the current economic situation, ODH (with the agreement of local health departments) has decided not to engage in pre-distribution for this new supply of KI. Members of the general public in the affected areas should contact their local or county health department for information on the availability of replacement KI.
While ODH is not funding pre-distribution of this current shipment of KI, efforts will be made to help local and county health departments prepare the bulk packages of KI for distribution to members of the public. This may include some ODH staff participating in the KI packaging effort or coordinating purchase of packing supplies.
Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Technical Support
246 North High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: (614) 644-2727
Fax: (614) 466-0381
E-Mail: Bradiation@odh.ohio.gov
Updated 6/6/11
Radiation Protection / Technical Support
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