During Chernoble, the Polish gave potassium iodide pills to their population while surrounding countries such as the Ukraine did not. The thyroid cancer rates in downwind eastern European countries skyrocketed, especially in children. The thyroid cancer rates in Poland did not increase at all. Emergency kits at U.S. Nuclear facilities contain potassium iodide pills for employees to take in the event of an accident.

In Japan a self-sustaining nuclear reaction is occurring at a nuclear fuel rods installation. The word is that they can't get close enough to determine how bad it is. They have asked the U.S. military for help. During the Kobe earthquake the Japanese refused offers of assistance by the U.S. military. They did not want to be seen as incompetent; they did not want to "lose face." The fact that the Japanese government is desparately seeking outside assistance is an indication of how serious they think it might be! The prevaling winds crossing the Pacific often come from East Asia to the U.S. West Coast. In other words, we could be in a similar situation to that which Poland faced during the Chernobyl event.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO OBTAIN POTASSIUM IODIDE TABLETS OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE PROTECTION FROM RADIATION EXPOSURE???? ALSO ANY INFORMATION ON HOW THIS IS ADMINISTERED SAFELY.

-- Ralph Kramden (and@awaywego.com), September 30, 1999

Answers

Try this site :http://www.y2ksupplies.com/year2000/potiod.html

-- Mitch (hopeit helps@NEOhio.com), September 30, 1999.

Its called Thyro block http://www.beprepared.com/Product/mf-t100.html Diredtions included. Stuff is cheap, buy your dog some too.

-- Taz (Taz@aol.com), September 30, 1999.

Sea vegetables, anyone?

-- flora (***@__._), September 30, 1999.

I had heard if you took lots of kelp (vitamin pill form) it would help. Is this correct?

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), September 30, 1999.

I too was concerned and ordered 4 bottles of Thyroblock and am including some other info I found on the web:

http://y2ksurvival.com/s60p778.htm An extremely small and inexpensive daily dose of the preferred non- radioactive potassium salt, potassium iodide (KI), if taken 1/2 hour to 1 day before exposure to radioactive iodine, will reduce later absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid to only about 1% of what the absorption would be without this preventive measure. Extensive experimentation and study have led to the Federal Drug Administration's approval of 130-milligram (130- mg) tablets for this preventive (prophylactic) use only.36,37 A 130-mg dose provides the same daily amount of iodine as does each tablet that English authorities for years have placed in the hands of the police near nuclear power plants, for distribution to the surrounding population in the very unlikely event of a major nuclear accident.

PATIENT INFORMATION USE OF 130-MG SCORED TABLETS OF POTASSIUM IODIDE FOR THYROID BLOCKING (Potassium Iodide Tablets, U.S.P.) (Pronounced poe-TASS-e-um EYE-oh-dyed) (Abbreviated KI) TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE ONLY WHEN PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS TELL YOU. IN A RADIATION EMERGENCY, RADIOACTIVE IODINE COULD BE RELEASED INTO THE AIR. POTASSIUM IODIDE (A FORM OF IODINE) CAN HELP PROTECT YOU. IF YOU ARE TOLD TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE, TAKE IT ONE TIME EVERY 24 HOURS. DO NOT TAKE IT MORE OFTEN. MORE WILL NOT HELP YOU AND MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF SIDE EFFECTS. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO IODINE (SEE SIDE EFFECTS BELOW). INDICATIONS THYROID BLOCKING IN A RADIATION EMERGENCY ONLY DIRECTIONS FOR USE Use only as directed by State or local public health authorities in the event of a radiation emergency. DOSE ADULTS AND CHILDREN ONE YEAR OF AGE OR OLDER: One (1) tablet once a day. Crush for small children. BABIES UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE: One-half (1/2) tablet once a day. Crush first. DOSAGE: Take for 10 days unless directed otherwise by State or local public health authorities. Store at controlled room temperature between 150 and 300C (59 degrees to 86 degrees F). Keep bottle tightly closed and protect from light. WARNING POTASSIUM IODIDE SHOULD NOT BE USED BY PEOPLE ALLERGIC TO IODIDE. Keep out of the reach of children. In case of overdose or allergic reaction, contact a physician or public health authority. DESCRIPTION Each iOSAT Tablet contains 130 mg. of potassium iodide. HOW POTASSIUM IODIDE WORKS Certain forms of iodine help your thyroid gland work right. Most people get the iodine they need from foods like iodized salt or fish. The thyroid can "store" or hold only a certain amount of iodine. In a radiation emergency, radioactive iodine may be released in the air. This material may be breathed or swallowed. It may enter the thyroid gland and damage it. The damage would probably not show itself for years. Children are most likely to have thyroid damage. If you take potassium iodide, it will fill up your thyroid gland. This reduces the chance that harmful radioactive iodine will enter the thyroid gland. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE The only people who should not take potassium iodide are people who know they are allergic to iodide. You may take potassium iodide even if you are taking medicines for a thyroid problem (for example, a thyroid hormone or anti-thyroid drug). Pregnant and nursing women and babies and children may also take this drug. HOW AND WHEN TO TAKE POTASSIUM IODIDE Potassium iodide should be taken as soon as possible after public health officials tell you. You should take one dose every 24 hours. More will not help you because the thyroid can "hold" only limited amounts of iodine. Larger doses will increase the risk of side effects. You will probably be told not to take the drug for more than 10 days. Book Page: 113 SIDE EFFECTS Usually, side effects of potassium iodide happen when people take higher doses for a long time. You should be careful not to take more than the recommended dose or take it for longer than you are told. Side effects are unlikely because of the low dose and the short time you will be taking the drug. Possible side effects include skin rashes, swelling of the salivary glands, and "iodism" (metallic taste, burning mouth and throat, sore teeth and gums, symptoms of a head cold, and sometimes stomach upset and diarrhea). A few people have an allergic reaction with more serious symptoms. These could be fever and joint pains, or swelling of parts of the face and body and at times severe shortness of breath requiring immediate medical attention. Taking iodide may rarely cause overactivity of the thyroid gland, underactivity of the thyroid gland, or enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). WHAT TO DO IF SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR If the side effects are severe or if you have an allergic reaction, stop taking potassium iodide. Then, if possible, call a doctor or public health authority for instructions. HOW SUPPLIED Tablets (Potassium Iodide Tablets, U.S.P.): bottles of [number of tablets in a bottle] tablets ( ). Each white, round, scored tablet contains 130 mg. potassium iodide.

http://www.shoppingcart.com/emerald/ipage Thyroblock

-- Dennis Law (PaulLaw@aol.com), September 30, 1999.

What about animals? Dogs,cats,cows,chickens??? Does anyone know about dosages for animals? Does it work for animals? I heard that in parts of Europe, cows milk was contaminated for a long time because they ate the forages "coated" with the contamination - because of Chernobyl(sp).

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), September 30, 1999.

uh... California is a LONG way from Japan, way more than from Chernobyl to Warsaw. Anyway....

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000vKF and also

See also threads http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000vD4 and http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000v59 and http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000puv and of course http://home.earthlink.net/~kenseger/surv/IODINE.TXT and the source http://www.advance-scientific.com item # POT590 125g for $53.oo and 500g for $108.oo + shipping reagent grade purity 99.0%.

Note that a pound of KI is about 3500 doses, so since 1/2 a kilo is a bit over a pound so that's less than $0.05 a dose. See http://home.earthlink.net/~kenseger/surv/IODINE.TXT for details.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), September 30, 1999.

For the best results, one must take this 12 hours prior to your area being contaminated. The duration of taking this per accident is 48 days per person. So stock up in large amounts if you live near or within 75 miles of a nuclear facility.

Stay indoors, close all windows and doors, do not venture outside for anything. Wait until the nuclear wind has finished and the dust has disapated at least 48 DAYS, not hours. This of course is longer than a 72 hour storm.

Joe Martin -- Buffalo, Ny

-- Joe Martin (nospam@nospam.com), October 01, 1999.

"POTASSIUM IODATE
"150 mg Tablets

"Potassium Iodate is a superior form of KI (buffered Iodine) and carried only by Medical Corps. Each factory sealed bottle contains 100 fresh tablets of Potassium Iodate 150mg.

"The shelf life of Potassium Iodate is exceptional and should last a generation. Because of the extra molecule of oxygen in Iodate, Medical Corps can guarantee Iodate's stability without adding stabilizers.

"Medical Corps recommends that each family member should have at least one bottle in their emergency kit. KI is the only known chemical available on the market which will shield (or block) the Thyroid and prevent it from absorbinb radioactive Iodine.

"Unlike other blockers, Medical Corps' stock is NOT government surplus 130 mg tablets. It is also chewable and especially recommended for children because our youngsters are extremely susceptible to thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive contamination.

"Remember, be it a spill, accident, war or terrorism, Potassium Iodate is the only chemical which will protect you and your children. For those who are interested, it can be used for your pets also.

"1 Bottle = 100 150mg pills.
"Use during a Nuclear Emergency ONLY
* For the first 14 days take 1 tablet twice a day. This is a total of 2 tablets per day.
* For the next 76 days take 1 tablet per day.

"Potassium Iodate 150mg is a superior form of "KI" because of its extended shelf life and lack of bitter taste. The extra molecule of oxygen in Potassium Iodate 150mg (actually K103), can guarantee the Iodate's continued freshness without adding stabilizers. Keep the bottle sealed, dry, and out of sunlight. It should remain stable for a generation.

"Why should it be used?
"During a Nuclear Disaster, such as War, Terrorism, a MeltDown or Spill, great amounts of Radioactive Iodine-131 are often released. Even though I-131 is radioactive, it is still Iodine ... and Iodine is what the Thyroid requires to operate correctly. The Thyroid does not know the difference between "good" iodine and "bad" iodine and will readily absorb Radioactive 131 if allowed to. What must be done in case of a nuclear accident is to SATURATE the Thyroid with the good Iodine so that the bad iodine cannot do irreparable damage. The blocking must be done on a daily basis at least 12 hours BEFORE the nuclear emergency starts and it must be continued for at least 80 days. [???]

"Medical Corp"

"Medical Corps is an organization of retired United States Armed Forces personnel united to bring to the citizenry of the nation education and training in survival and emergency medical techniques.

"Ralph Charles "Chuck" Fenwick is the founder and chief administrator of Medical Corp.

Address label on bottle:
"Medical Corps
45161 State Route 821
Caldwell, OH 43724

"New Important Information
[ the guy said for the last year, and the military is switching over to Postassium Iodate. He told us some info that we KNOW is not true, so we're being cautious ]

"New Thyroid Blocking Power
Did anyone besides Medical Corps understand what it means to have 100 suitcase Atomic Bombs unaccounted for by the former Soviet Union? Or maybe it is just a coincidence, but the US Government has instituted an NBC crash training program for emergency medical personnel in 120 cities nation wide! Medical Corps is involved with just that sort of training and has been for two years. One of the emergency procedures being taught is the use of the Thyroid Blocker called KI. This is the only chemical which will protect a human from absorbinb Radioactive Iodine 131. Iodine 131 is deadly and is especially toxic to children.

"Medical Corps now carries a superior form of KI. In the past we have marketed Potassium Iodide 150mg. Now we can offer a new product called Potassium Iodate 150mg.

"Medical Corps carries this superior form of KI. Potassium Iodate has an extra molecule of Oxygen which makes it more shelf stable than Iodide or Iodine. It is not as bitter as Potassium Iodide and can be chewed. Unlike the government surplus 130mg Iodide, Medical Corps chose the 150mg strength, as this will extend the thyroid blocking.

The store is called "American Family Network," and their website is at
http://www.americanfamilynetwork.com

Helps if your browser can see/use frames.

Medical Corp:
http://www.medicalcorp.org

You can get Potassium Iodide from Emergency Essentials.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), October 01, 1999.

Ken,

I heard a brief report on the San Fransisco ABC radio station KGO this morning that radiation levels were being monitored closely along the west coast, though they didn't expect them to be particularly elevated.

-- flora (***@__._), October 03, 1999.