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Do you know how to protect your family from radiation exposure? You better read this...
If you live anywhere near a nuclear power plant or if you ever thought about how to prepare for a terrorism related event (Dirty Bomb Scenario), there's a household remedy you might want to keep on hand, in case there's ever a nuclear accident. This also includes responding to an incident where you know ahead of time that there is a chance of radiation exposure.
Remember Routes of Entry!
A nuclear reactor on the rampage (like the one in the infamous Three Mile Island incident) releases a whole bunch of radioactive gases, but the one medical experts believe is most harmful to humans is iodine-131. This gas tends accumulate in liquid form in the thyroid gland, which stores iodine, and, over time, can cause cancer(s).
However, if the thyroid gland is already replete with non-radioactive iodine when a nuclear accident occurs or if you have exposure from an emergency response, the body will simply excrete the iodine-131 absorbed from the contaminated air.
Studies done on lab animals suggest that by just swabbing the palm of the hand or one knee with tincture of iodine - a common disinfectant - if you hear news or a nuclear reactor accident nearby, may help you protect yourself and your family.
One study included injecting two groups of rats with iodine-131. One group was fed the prescription formula potassium iodide, while the paws of the other group of rats were dipped in non-prescription tincture of iodine. Both methods of treatment blocked the thyroid's absorption of iodine-131.
Executive Summary: Before an incident occurs, stock up on Tincture of Iodine. Should an incident occur, news reports will report this information and you won't be able to find an ounce of the stuff, anywhere...
Failure to prepare is preparing for failure... Be prepared!
CBz
More detailed information can be found here.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Doug on
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Does anyone know if the government still hands out the tablets to people that live within a certain radius of nuclear facilities?
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Good information as always Cbz.
But I know many people with seafood allergies which is usually related to Iodine. Probably not a good idea for these folks.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
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Good info CBz. And tincture of iodine is plentiful and not expensive.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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I work in a jurisdiction that sets up a reception center for evacuated people to reprt to for radiation monitoring, decon and medical follow up. This is for a nearby nuclear power plant. This suggestion for iodine and the tablets are unheard of and I have been doing this for 16 years.
Need to look into this more... thanks Cbz
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If my old memory serves me correctly, much of this information was brought out in the era of "Duck and Cover" and fallout shelters. I seem to remember Iodine tablets with the survival supplies in the basement shelter of the hospital where my Dad worked
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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
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I lived across from a nuclear plant years ago and they did send the tablets by mail on a yearly basis. The first time I received them it was a little nerve racking when I read the directions! My wife had asked what are those for and when I replied, she said it's time to move.
Good stuff CBz
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