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Michigan May Pass Out Iodide Pills
Precaution Could Be Taken Against Severe Nuclear Accident
Posted: 10:46 a.m. EDT June 25, 2002
DETROIT-- The federal government has asked states to consider distributing potassium iodide pills to people who live within 10 miles of nuclear plants, as a precaution against a severe nuclear accident.
Michigan officials were expected to meet Tuesday to decide whether to accept the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's offer of the free pills, which help prevent thyroid cancer and thyroid-related diseases.
A decision is expected to be made within a month by Gov. John Engler and Michigan's director of homeland security.
About 220,000 people live within 10 miles of the state's three nuclear power plants, including about 88,000 near Fermi II in Monroe and Wayne counties.
The other two plants are on the western side of the state: the Palisades Nuclear Plant near South Haven, run by Consumers Energy; and the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, run by American Electric Power.
In Wayne County, residents of Rockwood, Flat Rock, Brownstown Township and Gibraltar would be eligible to get the pills, which cost the government about 16 cents each.
Each person would get two pills, which they would take following a major release of radiation.
Dr. David Johnson, chief medical officer for the Michigan Department of Community Health, said he expects some use of potassium iodide pills to be in the state's plans -- though they may not be distributed to households.
Fourteen of 34 states with or near nuclear plants have accepted the pills since December, when the NRC sent letters asking all states to consider stockpiling the pills.
But at least three states -- including Arkansas, North Carolina and South Carolina -- rejected the pills, saying they might deter people from immediately evacuating.
Potassium iodide blocks the thyroid gland's intake of radioactive iodine and reduces the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine.
The only known side effect is a minor skin rash.
The federal agency has bought 6 million pills, which have a shelf life of about five years, at a cost of about $1 million, federal officials said.
Michigan May Pass Out Iodide Pills
Precaution Could Be Taken Against Severe Nuclear Accident
Posted: 10:46 a.m. EDT June 25, 2002
DETROIT-- The federal government has asked states to consider distributing potassium iodide pills to people who live within 10 miles of nuclear plants, as a precaution against a severe nuclear accident.
Michigan officials were expected to meet Tuesday to decide whether to accept the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's offer of the free pills, which help prevent thyroid cancer and thyroid-related diseases.
A decision is expected to be made within a month by Gov. John Engler and Michigan's director of homeland security.
About 220,000 people live within 10 miles of the state's three nuclear power plants, including about 88,000 near Fermi II in Monroe and Wayne counties.
The other two plants are on the western side of the state: the Palisades Nuclear Plant near South Haven, run by Consumers Energy; and the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, run by American Electric Power.
In Wayne County, residents of Rockwood, Flat Rock, Brownstown Township and Gibraltar would be eligible to get the pills, which cost the government about 16 cents each.
Each person would get two pills, which they would take following a major release of radiation.
Dr. David Johnson, chief medical officer for the Michigan Department of Community Health, said he expects some use of potassium iodide pills to be in the state's plans -- though they may not be distributed to households.
Fourteen of 34 states with or near nuclear plants have accepted the pills since December, when the NRC sent letters asking all states to consider stockpiling the pills.
But at least three states -- including Arkansas, North Carolina and South Carolina -- rejected the pills, saying they might deter people from immediately evacuating.
Potassium iodide blocks the thyroid gland's intake of radioactive iodine and reduces the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine.
The only known side effect is a minor skin rash.
The federal agency has bought 6 million pills, which have a shelf life of about five years, at a cost of about $1 million, federal officials said.
