PARIS —
European countries have seen stocks of iodine fly off the shelves due to fears
it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine causes a nuclear incident.
اضافة اعلان
France said it
would send 2.5 million doses of the chemical compound to Ukraine after Russian
forces there seized the defunct Chernobyl nuclear site and damaged
Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear plant.
Here are some
facts about iodine.
What is iodine?
Stable iodine —
potassium iodide — enables the thyroid gland in the neck to produce hormones
that are essential for brain development and vital bodily functions. The body
does not make iodine so it is key to the diet.
Can iodine help in a
nuclear accident?
A serious incident at a nuclear facility would release radioactive iodine
into the atmosphere. If this is inhaled or eaten in contaminated food, it can
increase the risk of thyroid cancer — an effect observed after the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster of 1986.
Tablets of stable,
non-radioactive iodine help prevent radioactive iodine concentrating in the
thyroid gland. Saturated like a sponge with stable iodine, the gland can no
longer capture the radioactive element, which is then flushed out of the body
naturally though the urine.
Does iodine work in
all circumstances?
Iodine tablets do not
protect against other radioactive elements. They do not provide immunity to
radiation and are not a permanent cure.
The
French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) told AFP that iodine only protects the thyroid
and the most important thing to do in a nuclear incident is to take shelter in
a hard building.
The tablets must
be taken at precise times — ideally, one hour before exposure to radiation and,
at the latest, in the 6 to 12 hours following exposure.
They are
recommended in particular for pregnant women, babies, children, and young
people.
“There is no
point in taking iodine tablets as a prophylactic,” the ASN warned. “It’s
pointless and it can cause undesirable effects or allergies.”
Taking too much
iodine can cause the thyroid to malfunction and damage the heart and kidneys.
Last week
Croatian doctors warned of the dangers of taking iodine without proper
precautions.
Belgians have
also been warned of the risks but have nonetheless reportedly rushed to buy the
pills.
How readily available are iodine pills?
Iodine tablets area only
administered on the advice of the
authorities. Chemists do not provide them to the public under other
circumstances.
In
France, for
example, there have been five iodine distribution campaigns since 1997, in
reaction to accidental radioactive leaks from nuclear sites.
Read more Region and World
.jpg)
.jpg)
