What is Potassium Iodide? Limerick Nuclear Emergency Tablets Explained

LIMERICK, PA — Just what exactly are the tablets that the Chester County Health Department are issuing to residents near the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant?

Potassium iodide is being made available to all residents within 10 miles of the Limerick Nuclear Plant at the Kimberton Fire Company in Phoenixville in August.

The tablets can help individuals in radiation emergencies that involve radioactive iodine, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Since potassium iodide contains non-radioactive iodine, it helps to stop radioactive iodine, which could be released into the air during a radioactive emergency, from being absorbed into the body by the thyroid gland, officials said.

That's because once the thyroid gland is full with nonradioactive iodine, it will not absorb any more, per the CDC.

Not all radiological incidents release radioactive iodine, so residents are urged to never take the tablets unless explicitly told to do so by health officials.

The agency released an infographic, recently shared by the Spring-Ford School District, to help residents visualize the effectiveness of the tablets:

Nuclear regulatory committees have consistently deemed Limerick to be operating safely. Some environmental groups nonetheless question the impact of the plant on the area's residents, even barring any serious accidents. Reports have detailed the possible impact on local drinking water, among other consequences.

The Limerick plant employs an environmental monitoring program to "ensure the continued health" of the Schuylkill River and communities it serves, spokespersons for Exelon told Patch.

The tablets will be made available on Thursday August 4, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kimberton Fire Company in Phoenixville.