TOWNSEND — While their use is highly unlikely, potassium iodide pills are crucial to surviving a radiation emergency.
Therefore, during a distribution event Oct. 2 at the Townsend Fire Co., 107 Main St., free dosages will be available to those living or working within 10 miles of New Jersey’s Salem and Hope Creek nuclear generating stations.
According to Patrick O’Connell, a planning supervisor for the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, chances are “extremely low” that a situation would arise when potassium iodide (KI) tablets would be necessary.
“It would require a release of radiation outside of the site boundary of the nuclear power plant, which would only occur in an extreme accident,” he explained.
If such an incident occurs in a defined emergency planning zone, “the state would follow federal guidance for protective actions, of which KI distribution is one,” Mr. O’Connell continued.
“As best practice and a preventative measure, we make KI available to the public in the EPZ preemptively, in case of the remote possibility that would require public distribution within the EPZ.”
These distributions have taken place for at least 10 years, Mr. O’Connell said, but there’s never been a need to use the pills.
Those eligible can pick up the potassium iodide between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 2.
To determine emergency zone locations, visit de.gov/epz.
Next week’s distribution is orchestrated by the state’s Emergency Management Agency and its Division of Public Health.
According to a DEMA news release, a recipient should bring a photo ID, proof of residency or proof of employment in the EPZ.
Further, “(r)esidents who have KI that is expired can bring those tablets to the distribution center to exchange for new ones,” the release states, adding that “KI does not protect against external radiation but can help protect the thyroid gland from ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine that might be released in a radiation emergency.”
The state receives the tablets via the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Delawareans who live outside the 10-mile radius who would like to obtain the dosages can contact pharmacies, where they could be available over the counter.
If the Oct. 2 distribution is missed, KI will be available for eligible citizens at Atlantic Apothecary, 103 S. Dupont Blvd., Smyrna.
Mr. O’Connell added that, since April 2023, 18,132 tablets have been given out to individuals in the zone during twice-yearly events.
The next is April 2, 2026, at Volunteer Hose Co., 27 W. Green St., Middletown.
For information, call DEMA at 302-659-3362 or visit PrepareDE.org.