Politics & Government
Radiation-Poisoning Pills Restocked in Barnstable County
State and local officials recommend adding potassium iodide pills to household emergency kits, according to a Barnstable County announcement. Are you worried about radiation from the Pilgrim nuclear plant? Tell us in the comments.
A new batch of potassium iodide pills has been released by the state of Massachusetts and is available to the general public now at health departments on the Cape and Islands, according to a Barnstable County announcement.
Contact the Falmouth Health Department at:
508-495-7485
508-548-7611
health@falmouthmass.us
Potassium iodide, often referred to by its chemical formula KI, can help protect thyroid tissue from cancer in the event of a radioactive release.
The pills were last restocked in 2007 and those on hand are are approaching expiration, according to the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment.
Anyone can take potassium iodide as long as he or she is not allergic to it.
More from the Barnstable County announcement:
"Members of the general public, particularly those with children, are encouraged to take advantage of the availability of KI pills, at no charge, and obtain them from their local health departments. The BCDHE recommends adding KI pills to household emergency kits. Citizens wishing to stock KI pills in their emergency kits are asked to contact their local health departments for information on picking up the pills.
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For more information on KI contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Radiation Control Program at 617-242-3035 or visit the web site at www.mass.gov/dph/rcp."
Are you concerned about the possibility of radiation from the Pilgrim nuclear plant in Plymouth? Will you restock the pills? Tell us in the comments.
