On August 8, the Department of Health announced it will offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets on Thursday, August 22, to Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10 miles of the state’s five nuclear power plants.

Those picking up tablets will receive specific instructions from community health nurses on-site on how many tablets they should take only when instructed to do so.

“Emergency preparedness is an important aspect of public health, and having potassium iodide tablets for residents who live or work within 10 miles of a nuclear facility is an essential preparedness action in the case of a radiological emergency,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “KI helps protect the thyroid gland against harmful radioactive iodine and is safe for everyone. It’s important to remember potassium iodide should only be taken when instructed to by state health officials or the governor, and it is not a substitute for an officially recommended evacuation in the case of a radiological emergency at one of Pennsylvania’s nuclear facilities.”

KI can be taken by anyone, as long as they are not allergic to it. It is safe for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, people on thyroid medication, children and infants.

Individuals who are giving KI to children and infants should follow instructions provided with the KI. If you are unsure if you should take potassium iodide because of a medical condition, ask your health care provider first.

Individuals can pick up KI tablets for other family members or those who are unable to get it on their own. Directions explaining when to take the KI tablets and how to store it are provided with the packages, and Department of Health staff will be available to assist those with any questions.

School districts and employers within a 10-mile radius can arrange to obtain their supply of KI tablets from the department. The tablets are also available year-round at county and municipal health departments or state health centers for those who live or work near a nuclear power plant.

The state’s five nuclear facilities are closely regulated, secure, well-maintained and monitored. The facilities are: Beaver Valley Power Station, Limerick Generating Station, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, and Three Mile Island Generating Station.

Although Three Mile Island Generating Station is slated to close on September 30, residents who live or work within a 10-mile radius are still encouraged to obtain their supply of KI tablets.

KI tablets will be distributed from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted on Thursday, August 22 at the locations listed below. No appointments are necessary.

-- Beaver Valley Power Station [Beaver County]

-- Beaver Valley Mall – Center at the Mall, 570 Beaver Valley Mall Blvd., Monaca

-- Limerick Generating Station [Montgomery County]

--Keystone Fire Company, 240 North Walnut St., Boyertown

-- Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station [York County]

-- East Drumore Township Municipal Building, 925 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville

-- Peach Bottom Recreation Center, 5 Pendyrus St., Delta

-- Susquehanna Steam Electric Station [Luzerne County]

-- Butler Township Municipal Building, 411 West Butler Dr., Drums

-- Luzerne County Community College – Public Safety Center, 1333 South Prospect St., Nanticoke

--  Salvation Army Community Corps Building, 320 W. 2nd St., Berwick

-- Three Mile Island Generating Station [Dauphin County]

-- Londonderry Township Building, 798 S. Geyers Church Rd., Middletown

-- Fairview Township Fire Department, 340 Lewisberry Rd., New Cumberland

-- Union Fire Company No. 1, 201 York St. Manchester

-- Hummelstown Fire Hall, 249 E. Main St., Hummelstown

--  Masonic Villages – Salon 3, Brossman Ballroom, Freemasons Cultural Center 1 Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown

For more information, download the Department of Health’s Potassium Iodide (English) (Spanish) fact sheet.

Information is available on emergencies and evacuation zones around nuclear power plants from the PA Emergency Management Agency.

For information on nuclear power plant radiation monitoring, visit DEP’s Nuclear Power Plants webpage

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[Posted: August 8, 2019]

8/12/2019