Let’s Talk About Iodine Pills ????
Riccardo Bevilacqua
Radiation Safety Expert, PhD in Applied Nuclear Physics | Bridging Nuclear Science & MedTech at Elekta
Nuclear reactors are fascinating places where a variety of isotopes are produced. Many of these isotopes are radioactive, meaning they have excess energy in their nuclei. This energy is released as radiation, which can include gamma rays, neutrons, alpha particles, beta particles, and even neutrinos (though neutrinos don’t interact with our bodies).
One such isotope is Iodine-131. It releases its excess energy through beta (electrons) and gamma (photons) radiation. This process happens quickly, with half of the Iodine-131 decaying within the first 8 days of its creation, and it continues to decay rapidly thereafter.
Now, let’s consider our bodies. The thyroid gland is particularly good at absorbing iodine quickly and in large amounts. If we inhale or ingest iodine, it goes straight to the thyroid. If this iodine is radioactive Iodine-131, it means our thyroid will be exposed to high levels of radiation, increasing the risk of thyroid cancer.
This is where iodine pills come in
This is where iodine pills come in. By taking these pills just before potential exposure to radioactive Iodine-131, we can saturate the thyroid with non-radioactive iodine. This prevents the thyroid from absorbing the harmful Iodine-131.
However, for this to work, several conditions must be met:
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Additionally, the thyroid will eventually desaturate (a process known as biological decay), so taking the pills too early won’t help, as the thyroid could be unprotected when it matters most.
A saturated thyroid can also cause severe health effects, so it’s crucial not to take iodine pills unless there’s an immediate need to protect against Iodine-131. There’s no benefit to taking them as a preventive measure.
What Should You Do?
Stay safe and informed!
About me
I'm passionate about (radiation) safety and security, leading these efforts at a top MedTech company while managing initiatives to enhance the work environment. My experience includes work with the European Commission and international physics labs, where I developed my expertise in nuclear physics (without causing any explosions!). With a PhD in applied nuclear physics, I’ve published research in peer-reviewed journals. I also enjoy writing content that makes complex topics in science, safety, and security accessible and engaging—because everyone loves a good science story!
Radiation Protection Adviser / Radioactive Waste Adviser / Director at Ionactive Consulting Limited
6 个月Indeed. Worse still, there were reports soon after the fukushima nuclear accident that folk were buying up iodized table salt as a cure / protection from radiation. There are numerous reports if you search for them. One quote I came across was ' You would need to consume 3 1/2 pounds of iodized salt to obtain the 130 milligrams of iodine that's contained in a single tablet of potassium iodide '. I am not endorsing the figures, I am not sure how accurate that is. But in any case, consuming any amount of 'salt' above dietary requirements is not desirable!