Iodide Pills for Americans Living Near Nuclear Reactors

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Massachusetts congressman, Rep.
Ed Markey, asked the federal
government Tuesday to distribute
potassium iodide pills to
Americans living near nuclear
reactors. A preventive step one
expert warns might do more harm
than good.

The compound can be used to block
the thyroid gland's absorption
of radioactive iodine.

The idea is to give it to every
household within a 20-mile radius
of a United States nuclear power
plant "in recognition of the
probability that rapid evacuation
during a nuclear melt-down will
be difficult and time consuming."

Markey explained that the battle to
stop a suspected melt-down at a
Japanese plant should spur the
Obama administration to action.

"Despite more than 30 years of
clear and unequivocal evidence
that potassium iodide protects
people, especially young
children, who are most vulnerable,
from cancer causing releases of
radioactive iodine that would
happen if a nuclear disaster
occurred, the nuclear industry
has continued to fight its use,"
Markey at a press conference.

A 2002 law requires the United
States government to stock-pile
potassium iodide, and make it
available to state/local
governments in preparation for a
possible nuclear accident, but
the congressman explained the
provision has not been enforced.

Source: http://newsblaze.com/story/20110330101454writ.nb/topstory.html