How Iodine Saves From the Atom?

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How Iodine Saves From the Atom?

The Potassium Iodide solution (or simply Iodine) is widely discussed at every public corner as well as in the media. The reason is the Russian president publicly throws insane threats of shelling the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe located in Zaporizhzhia, the city of Enerhodar. It has been seized by the invaders since March, who still have control over it. They shelled it the day before the Independence Day of Ukraine to threaten the Ukrainians and the world community with the nuclear explosion.

In this regard, the Ukrainian government addressed the issue providing clarification on the possible nuclear explosion consequences for the Ukrainian people with suggested measures to reduce the harmful effect in the worst-case scenario.

What kind of harm causes the nuclear explosion?

The explosion at the nuclear power plant releases the radioisotopes of iodine, cesium, strontium and other radionuclides, which in turn, evokes a radiation cloud contaminating the soil, surfaces, food and water. In addition, the nuclear particles from the cloud cover skin and clothing. This is the outside radiation, while consuming contagious foods is inside radiation. A significant part of the nuclear emissions contains radioactive iodine or the so-called radioactive isotopes of iodine (“bad iodine”). If the protective measures are neglected, the radioactive iodine is easily adsorbed by the thyroid (especially in children) evoking diseases.

There is a significant health risk from inside radiation by radioisotopes when inhaling or eating contaminated food.

The potassium is used to reduce the thyroid disfunction by the radioactive iodine. This is called iodine prevention. The pills block the thyroid gland making it temporarily unable to adsorb the iodine radioisotopes from the outside.

What are the proper actions in case of a nuclear explosion?

The potassium is used to reduce the thyroid disfunction by the radioactive iodine. This is called iodine prevention. The pills block the thyroid gland making it temporarily unable to adsorb the iodine radioisotopes from the outside.

Potassium iodide shot public prescriptions

A preventive shot of potassium iodide must follow by a government nuclear alert and public notification on the need for anti-iodine shot by the local authorities via the press and the social media.

The iodine will work best 6 hours prior to the emission of the radioactive cloud as well as within 6 hours after it. Taking the treatment after a 24-hour passage since the emission is not advised.

The procedure of receiving the potassium iodide

The state procured the necessary amount of potassium iodide to supply the regions according to the number of people living in it. In case of a nuclear explosion, people can request it in the distribution offices at their place of residence.

If the explosion has occurred, you must stay in the shelter until the alert cancellation by the authorities. Leaving the shelter earlier is dangerous. The alert cancellation is the must-to-follow.

The categories for potassium iodide intake and a dose prescription

• babies under 1 month old (infants and breastfed babies) – 16 mg,
• children from 1 month old to 3 years old – 32 mg,
• children from 3 to 12 years old – 62.5 mg,
• adolescents from 13 to 18 years old, adults under 40 years old, pregnant and lactating mothers – 125 mg.

The potassium iodine is not advised for the people over 40 years old.

What is the effect of potassium iodide?

A temporary thyroid dysfunction after a single intake of the iodine treatment does not affect the health of children and adults. Yet, a continuous intake may evoke a decrease in thyroid function. Therefore, iodine based treatments are not advised to take in preventive courses.

An alcohol solution of iodine or Lugol Solution is ineffective and can be harmful!

Consider other anti-radiation measures: take shelter; close windows and doors (do not ventilate); put the food in closed containers; prepare clean water.

What to do in case if pharmacies ran out of potassium iodide?

Facing the risk of an accident at a nuclear power plant and avoiding the Iodine solution because it can burn intestine, yet there is no potassium iodide. What to do?

If you have a small bottle of 5% alcohol solution of iodine, buy the injectable 30% sodium thiosulfate in 10 ml ampoules, and mix them to make an anti-radiation treatment, which, is also convenient for dosing.

10 ml of iodine solution (standard dose) contains 0.2 g of potassium iodide and 0.5 g of elemental iodine, which is harmful to the mucous of the intestine. The sodium thiosulfate works as a neutralizer. A 5 ml ampoule of a 30% solution contains 1.5 g of sodium thiosulfate – enough for one dose of 5% alcohol solution. Thiosulfate is safe and is used as an antidote for halogen poisoning.

The simplest way to mix is adding a solution of thiosulfate into iodine until the solution is dissolved and its brownish tint gone (to double secure, put two drops on top).

Add about 2 ml of sodium thiosulfate in 10 ml of tincture of iodine solution. The 12 ml of the solution produced contains 0.8 g of iodide mixture. It is safe. Since the solution is dilute and watery, its droplet size is 0.05 ml. One ml of the solution (20 drops) contains around 67 mg of iodides (3.3 mg per drop). To make it an anti-radiation shot of 125 mg of iodine, intake 38 drops. The shot for infants from birth to 1 month – 5 drops, children (from 1 month to 3 years) – 10 drops, children (from 3 to 12 years) – 19 drops, teenagers (over 12 to 18 years old) – 38 drops.

You need to buy the components and make the solution in advance. It has long shelf life (due to the alcohol preservative effect). Count the number of drops for each family member and sign the container with the solution. Do not postpone it to the last minute.