Potassium Iodine Tablets For Radiation Not Necessary For US, Says Experts
Because of the tragedy unfolding in Japan with their nuclear reactors, fears of radiation sickness have prompted a rush in the USA on potassium iodine tablets, which are used to protect the body from certain kinds of radiation poisoning. However, these fears are largely baseless and resemble panicked hyteria more than a viable precaution.
Yes, it’s true, there is radiation leaking out of those reactors, but it’s FIVE THOUSAND miles away. Any radiation reaching the US coast will be seriously, seriously diluted to the point where it is unlikely to be a concern.
Plus, radiation pills aren’t magic. They only protect the thyroid gland. Here’s how it works.
Potassium Iodine Tablets
The thyroid is a gland located in the center of your neck, just behind the windpipe. It’s important for regulating certain hormones, metabolism, and other fun stuff. Most important to our conversation, it uses a ton of iodine.
Why does that matter? Well, sometimes when there’s a problem with a nuclear reactor, it spits out a radioactive form of iodine. Your body can’t tell the difference, so it will run that radioactive iodine through the thyroid gland, putting it (and you) at risk for cancer.
So, the idea is, if you flood the body with good old fashioned non-radioactive iodine, the radioactive stuff never gets in. It’s like there’s too long of a line in front of the nightclub; the radioactive stuff just never makes it past the crowd. That’s where the “anti-radiation pills” come in. They’re just loads of potassium iodine.
These pills don’t protect you from:
- any other form of radioactive material that is ingested
- any form of external radiation
So basically you get to keep your thyroid nice and intact while the rest of you goes to radioactive hell. Don’t think that potassium iodine tablets are some sort of magical anti-radiation pill. They’re not.
Plus, in this particular instance, the radiation leaking out of Japan doesn’t seem to have much radioactive iodine involved, so at this point, there really wouldn’t be much point in gobbling down large amounts of potassium iodine tablets.
By all means, radiation exposure is a definite health hazard and shouldn’t be taken lightly, but I don’t want people grabbing on to false or unnecessary precautions because they’re in a panic. Staying informed is your best precaution.
Stay healthy!