I am introducing this topic as a background thread. I am not even slightly panicked by the "crisis" in Japan, and i am not planning on taking KI pills. Keep in mind that I live in So. California, and the so-called plume from the Japanese reactor is predicted to reach my area on Friday. Nevertheless, I don't indulge in overly emotional reactions. So this thread is simply for background information - in case we have another nuclear problem in the USA in the future.

* My understanding is that there are several isotopes that are a potential problem after a nuclear incident. This includes iodine, but also includes cesium and maybe some others. Therefore, I'm speculating that the potassium iodide pills (KI) could only offer protection against radioactive iodine, and would be useless against other isotopes. Can someone confirm? If true, the mania about KI in the USA is really far fetched.

** Generally, most people get a significant source of their iodine from sea salt, or iodized salt. If that is the case, what is the point of taking KI? Assuming that people are exposed to a long-term low-level radiation problem, I would not think that KI pills might help all that much. If people have some sea salt in their cupboards, wouldn't it be sufficient to have that as a normal source of iodine?

*** As an alternative to the second point above, perhaps KI pills are intended as a temp solution to high levels of radioactive iodine in the environment. But in that case, I would wonder how the human body would intake that radioactive iodine, and would it tend to build p in the thyroid - if people's bodies already have adequate iodine sources in the diet?

Just some things to think about. If anybody has any info to share, or some links with helpful background material, by all means add them.

other Pete
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