What is potassium iodide?

Spooked by their proximity to Japan, which is dealing with a nuclear crisis, B.C. residents are stocking up on anti-radiation medicines.

The provincial government, health officials and pharmacists insist that events in Japan don’t pose a health risk to Canadians, but that hasn’t slowed the run on potassium iodide.

Potassium iodide is a form of salt, similar to table salt. Its chemical name is KI.

It’s taken orally, and saturates the thyroid gland with the non-radioactive iodine, thereby reducing the amount of radioactive iodine the thyroid gland can absorb.

This protects the thyroid from radiation and cancer. However, it does not necessarily prevent other organs from radiation exposure or contamination.

It is most effective if taken before a person is exposed to radiation, but can still be effective if taken three to four hours after exposure. It will provide protection for 24 hours.

BC health officials urge calm

“Small amounts of low-level radiation released from the nuclear reactors in Japan will have been dispersed in the atmosphere there, and are not a health risk to British Columbians,” B.C. Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall said in his statement.

“Modelling of possible scenarios suggest that any release into the atmosphere of nuclear particles would take five to six days to reach British Columbia, by which time it would be so dispersed as to be not considered a health risk.

“It is recommended that pharmacies do not dispense or stockpile potassium iodide tablets. Some pharmacies are reporting a run on sales of iodide tablets,” he said.

“The consumption of iodide tablets is not a necessary precaution as there is no current risk of radiological I131 exposure. Even if radiation from Japan ever made it to British Columbia, our prediction based on current information, is that it would not pose any significant health risk.”

KI risks

If taken improperly, the compound could be a risk in itself, according to pharmacist Cristina Alarcon at Hollyburn Medicine Centre in West Vancouver.

Taking higher doses of potassium iodide or taking it too often does not provide any extra protection, and can cause potentially severe side effects or even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Potassium iodide is also ineffective at protecting people against other radioactive materials such as cesium.

The World Health Organization took the step of urging calm on its Twitter account on Monday, saying:

“Consult your #doctor before taking #iodine pills. Do not self-medicate!”

With files from The Associated Press