The Iredell County Health Department and local volunteers will distribute potassium iodide (KI) tablets to Iredell County residents on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at no charge.
The potassium iodide, or KI, is for residents of Iredell County living in the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) surrounding the McGuire Nuclear Power Plant. To learn more about Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and the EPZ visit: http://www.duke-energy.com/safety/nuclear-emergency-preparedness/mcguire.asp All counties in the EPZ, (Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell and Catawba) will distribute KI pills to their citizens on September 18th, from 9am-1pm. For more information contact your local county health department.
In order to make the distribution process as convenient as possible, pick-up will be at two locations. Carpooling is encouraged to help control the amount of traffic at the distribution sites. To keep the line moving, Iredell County will be using a drive-thru method with the assistance of Iredell County Sheriff’s Deputies, Iredell County Emergency Management and American Red Cross volunteers.
Iredell County residents living in the 10-mile EPZ may pick-up their household’s KI at either of the following locations:
Locations for Potassium Iodide (KI) Distribution: Pine Lake Preparatory School and Woodland Heights Elementary School.
When you arrive at the distribution site, a volunteer will ask you for your address to help ensure you are eligible. You will then be guided into one of two lines of cars passing by a tent. As you approach the tent, you will be handed a clipboard containing a sign-up sheet to fill out in the car. A volunteer will review the information for completeness and determine the number of KI tablets you are to receive. You will be given a packet containing two potassium iodide (KI) tablets per member of your household along with an information sheet, explaining its proper use. Read this information sheet at your earliest convenience and DO NOT take the tablets at this time.
The public health system is working with several local pharmacies to encourage them to stock potassium iodide (KI) for purchase by those ineligible for the state supplied tablets. For a list of locations visit: http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/Departments/Health/EmP/forms/WheretobuyKI.pdf
Potassium iodide (KI) is a salt of iodine that has been approved by the FDA as a non-prescription drug. KI is for use as a blocking agent to prevent the human thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine and causing cancer. It is one protective action that might be recommended during a nuclear emergency. However, KI may not provide people with 100% protection against all radioactive iodine, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And, it does not provide protection from full body irradiation or other radioactive elements that may be the result of a nuclear power plant release.
KI is considered safe for most people but can cause minor side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances and rashes. Those who are allergic to iodine should not take KI. Anyone who is not sure if they can take KI should talk to their doctor and pharmacist. Do not take KI unless public health officials tell you to do so.
For detailed information about potassium iodide tablets, refer to the information sheet that will accompany the KI tablets given to each household at the time of distribution. You are also encouraged to ask your personal physician or pharmacist about KI. You may visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp or the North Carolina Division of Public Health Preparedness and Response website at http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/phpr/ki/ki.html for additional information. If you are unable to get the answers you need, you may call the Iredell County Health Department at (704) 878-5300 for assistance.
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