Recent news indicates that Nuclear Power plants, over 100 in our country, could be at risk from a terrorist attack. Couple this with the Chernobyl reactor incident in April 1986 in Russia and the Fukushima reactor incident in Japan in March 2011; both of which unexpectedly released radioactivity into the air, ground and water. A radiation leak from any one of these plants could be carried downwind for hundreds of miles, potentially poisoning thousands or even millions of people in large population areas. Unfortunately, a Nuclear Power Plant has over 100 times more radioactive materials than an Atomic Bomb, which can be released as fallout. One of the most abundant components released is Radioactive Iodine 131 that is then carried downwind for hundreds of miles. Thyroid cancer attributable to Chernobyl has been documented more than 300 miles from the accident site.
Consider too, the emergence of new countries gaining nuclear capabilities in recent decades, with still others attempting to develop the technology. Of the original 5 “nuclear-weapon states” (countries), there are an estimated 9 now that are known or believed to house nuclear weapons. And there are an additional 4 countries that formerly possessed nuclear weapons that have supposedly given them back or disposed of or dismantled them. While it’s impossible to get an actual count, there are an estimated 4,000 active and over 10K total nuclear warheads in the world today. And, while these numbers are down to less than 1/6 of the nuclear weapons available at the height of the cold war, a single one of them going off could cause significant damage and radioactive fallout to occur.
Very small amounts of inhaled or ingested radioactive iodine can do serious damage because it will always be absorbed and held in the thyroid gland. Eventually, by ingesting a large amount of radiation in the thyroid, abnormalities are likely to result, such as nodules in the thyroid, loss of thyroid function, or thyroid cancer. Taking Potassium Iodate (KiO3) in the event of fallout will saturate a person’s thyroid gland with stable (“good”) iodine so the radioactive iodine cannot be absorbed by the thyroid. When the thyroid is saturated with the “good” iodine, any radioactive iodine that is later inhaled or ingested is quickly eliminated by the body. Potassium Iodate (KiO3) is now being stockpiled by many government agencies.
When To Start Taking Potassium Iodate
Do not take a thyroid blocker now. You will be wasting your supply. It will not help you unless you are caught in a fallout. We repeat, Do Not Take a thyroid blocker UNLESS the authorities tell you to do so. Authorities should notify you that a fallout is headed your way and you should start taking KiO3 as a single dose about 3 to 12 hours before exposure, or up to 10 hours after exposure (although this is less effective). If there is a “nuclear event” and you are down-wind, you need to take KiO3 before the radioactive plume reaches you. If you do not have KiO3 at the time of the event, then it is most likely too late to take a thyroid blocker unless the authorities can reach you with the proper dose during fallout conditions.
Recommended Dosages In Case of Nuclear Disaster
Potassium Iodate 85 mg tablets:
a) Adults (age 12 years and older) : 2 tablets daily – 3 to 14 days.
b) Children (age 3 years to 12 years) : 1 tablet daily – 3 days or longer.*
c) Infants (age 1 month to 3 years) : 1/2 tablet daily – 1 to 3 days.*
d) Babies (age newborn to 1 month) : 1/4 to 1/2 tablet – 1 to 3 days.*
Potassium Iodate 170 mg tablets:
a) Adults (age 12 years and older) : 1 tablets daily – 3 to 14 days.
b) Children (age 3 years to 12 years) : 1/2 tablet daily – 3 days or longer.*
c) Infants (age 1 month to 3 years) : 1/4 tablet daily – 1 to 3 days.*
d) Babies (age newborn to 1 month) : 1/8 to 1/4 tablet – 1 to 3 days.*
*Authorities may determine that repeat or longer dosing may be necessary.
*Under heavy plume conditions 1/2 tablet (85 mg) / 1/4 tablet (170 mg) may be given to newborns as a starting dose. It is extremely important that young children be taken out of harm’s way as soon as possible.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding you should normally not take more than two doses for a minor “reactor leak.” Babies up to a month old should only receive one dose for a minor “reactor leak.” However, this should be determined by authorities.
Considerations Before Taking KiO3 or any Thyroid Blocker
Is it a true radiation emergency? Are you allergic to iodine? Do you suffer from a skin disease? Do you suffer from inflammation of the blood vessels? Are you being treated for an overactive thyroid? Do you have problems with your kidneys? Are you being treated for problems with your adrenal glands? Are you suffering from dehydration due to extreme heat? Are you currently taking a diuretic? IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING KiO3.
Although rare, hypersensitivity reactions such as a rash, swollen salivary glands, headache, wheezing or coughing and stomach upset may occur. If you have these or any other effects while taking Potassium Iodate, tell a doctor immediately.
Iodine can cause some serious problems in some people with existing thyroid conditions. Radioactive Iodine-131 is Iodine and can be deadly for babies and young children. One who has a thyroid condition that requires the avoidance of iodine will still be subjected to iodine in the form of radioactive Iodine-131. Talk to your doctor and try to come to a decision together.
Difference Between KiO3 and Ki
Ki is a thyroid blocker and works to block the thyroid. According to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), KiO3 (our thyroid blocker) is safer to use. KiO3 has a Health Risk of 1 -slight. Ki has a Health Risk of 2—moderate. However, compared to radioactive iodine, a Health Risk of 2 for Ki means nothing. KiO3 is easier to dose and is not bitter in the stomach, making it easier for babies, pets, and people with illness to keep it down.
Shelf Life of Potassium Iodate (KiO3)
According to the manufacturer, the shelf-life is “theoretically unlimited”. This means that it will be good for 8 years or more if not exposed to excessive heat. The shelf life can be extended by storing Ki03 in a refrigerator or freezer. When doing so, it is recommended to use some type of sealable storage bag. Note the fact that the sealed bottles are air tight.
Store bottles in a dry, cool place where children cannot reach them. If you swallow a lot of the tablets all together, or if you think a child has accidentally swallowed any of the tablets, contact your nearest hospital emergency room or doctor immediately.
Summary of Medical Corps Potassium Iodate (KiO3)
Potassium Iodate (KiO3) is a superior form of KI. Potassium Iodate will shield (or block) the Thyroid and prevent it from absorbing radioactive Iodine.
- Each factory-sealed bottle contains 90 fresh tablets of Potassium Iodate 85 mg or 60 fresh tablets of Potassium Iodate 170mg.
- Because of the extra molecule of oxygen in Iodate, the shelf life of Potassium Iodate is exceptional.
- Medical Corps recommends that each family member should have at least one bottle in their kit.
- Youngsters are extremely susceptible to thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive contamination.
- Unlike other blockers, this is NOT government surplus 130-mg tablets of KI (potassium iodide).
How Far a Bottle Will Go to Cover You
First let’s set the figure for a “medium” event at 25 days (3 half-lives of radioactive Iodine 131), one 90 count 85 mg dose bottle will protect:
- 2 Adults (age 12 years and up) OR
- 4 Children (age 3 years to 12 years) OR
- 8 Young Children (age 1 month to 3 years) OR
- 16 Babies (age newborn to 1 month)
Keep in mind that it is possible to have more than one event OR an ongoing event as happened at Chernobyl.