DELAWARE DISTRIBUTING POTASSIUM IODIDE TO RESIDENTS NEAR SALEM, NJ NUCLEAR PLANT~"YOU CAN TRUST GOVERNMENT TO TAKE CARE OF YOU EVEN IN A MANUFACTURED EMERGENCY"

SALEM NEW JERSEY NUCLEAR PLANT 

ON THE DELAWARE RIVER/BAY

Delaware to Distribute 

Potassium Iodide Tablets 

at Three Locations This Summer

SEE: http://news.delaware.gov/2014/05/27/delaware-to-distribute-potassium-iodide-tablets-at-three-locations-this-summer/

Date Posted: Tuesday, May 27th, 2014

(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will distribute potassium iodide (KI) tablets free of charge on three dates this summer to Delaware residents who live within 10 miles of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.  KI tablets will be available to those who have received potassium iodide during previous distribution events, and those who have never received potassium iodide. The tablets to be distributed this year will replace the IOSAT 130 mg tablets set to expire beginning September 2014.

The distribution dates and locations are:

• Thursday, June 5,  3 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Delaware City Fire Company, 815 5^th Street, Delaware City
• Thursday, July 31,  12 noon – 8 p.m., at Volunteer Hose Company, 27 W. Main Street, Middletown
• Thursday, August 28,  9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Appoquinimink State Service Center, 122 Silver Lake Road, Middletown

Delaware residents in the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ), defined as the 10-mile radius around the plant, received notification which was mailed on May 22^nd.

KI tablets were supplied to Delaware when the state chose to participate in a program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The tablets are offered to all states with populations living within a 10-mile radius of a nuclear power facility.

Potassium iodide does not protect against external radiation, but it can help protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine that may be released in the event of a radiation emergency and could be ingested or inhaled.  Potassium iodide is a supplement to Delaware’s existing emergency plans developed for use in a nuclear incident.  Evacuation remains the primary method of protecting Delaware residents; the potassium iodide offers additional protection.

In the event of a radiation emergency, state and local officials will inform the public through use of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio stations. Information will include directions to evacuation routes and emergency reception centers, and instructions on when to take the potassium iodide tablets.

All Delaware residents who live within the 10-mile EPZ, and those who work or own businesses within 10 miles of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations in New Jersey are eligible for free potassium iodide tablets. They are asked to assist in the distribution efforts by following the guidelines included in the May 22^ndinformational mailing.

Those eligible for potassium iodide are asked to bring the informational flyer they received in the mail, photo identification such as a driver’s license, or proof of residency, such as a utility bill. Potassium Iodide that has passed the expiration date should be brought when eligible recipients pick up new tablets.

People residing outside of the ten-mile radius of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations and who would like to obtain potassium iodide should contact their pharmacist. Potassium iodide is available over the counter in many local pharmacies.

For additional information regarding the potassium iodide distribution program in Delaware, call the Delaware Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Planning section at 302-659-3362.