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Potassium iodide pills will remain available for those who live near North Anna plant Date published: 4/11/2009
BY RUSTY DENNEN Pills to protect against a specific type of radiation poisoning will continue to be provided to those who live near North Anna Power Station. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced this week that it will keep supplying states with potassium iodide. Residents around Dominion power's other Virginia nuclear plant--Surry Power Station on the James River in Surry County--also would be included. The medicine is intended for anyone who lives or works within each plant's 10-mile emergency planning zone.
Potassium iodide is a nonprescription medication routinely added to table salt to make it "iodized." It can protect against poisoning by radioactive iodine, one of the contaminants that could be released during a severe reactor accident. Potassium iodide helps reduce the risk of thyroid cancer and other diseases by blocking the thyroid gland's absorption of radioactive iodine. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the NRC supplied the pills to 34 states. Representatives of the Rappahannock Area Health District in 2002 traveled to fire stations, community centers, schools and offices to hand out the pills. Some businesses, nursing homes and military installations also got supplies. The response was not overwhelming. Only about 12 percent of those living within 10 miles of North Anna--located on Lake Anna near Mineral--received the free tablets. Each person got one 130- milligram tablet. That medicine giveaway was initially intended to be a one-time event. But since that time, the NRC says, most of the states have requested additional supplies, since the shelf life is generally about five or six years. The new batch will be 130-mg tablets that can divided to provide children's doses. A liquid form for infants and young children also will be available. The NRC estimates the program will cost between $4 million and $5 million every six years, starting in 2013. Scott Burnell, a spokesman for the NRC, said yesterday that states and local health officials will handle the distribution, as was the case in 2002. Those details have yet to be worked out, though it's expected to be much the same as last time. "We're just making it available," Burnell said. Michele Winters-Callender, nurse manager for the Rappahannock Area Health District, said supplies would be pre-distributed to those within the emergency zone, and to various agencies and emergency responders. Meanwhile, she said, the health district takes part in periodic practice drills simulating a nuclear accident. Two were held last year in Spotsylvania and Caroline counties; another is scheduled for 2010. Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Date published: 4/11/2009
http://www.dom.com/about/stations/nuclear/emerplan/index.jsp
can any one get on that site?
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