How Does Potassium Iodide Protect Against Radiation?

Author: Asahok Shah

Potassium Iodide (KI) is an inorganic compound used to protect the thyroid gland of a person exposed to radioactive iodine. The most effective way of protection during a nuclear plant emergency is evacuation but in situations where evacuation or sheltering is not possible then, Potassium Iodide is taken for protection against radiation. Hence, it can also be used as an alternative to sheltering and evacuation against the radioactive Iodine released during a nuclear power plant accident. But, it should only be taken during the radiological emergency only on the direction of state health commissioner.

Potassium Iodide: Ideal For Protection Against Radiation

During a power plant accident, Radioactive Iodine is the major contaminant to be released. An exposure to the Radioactive Iodine in any form either through inhalation or ingestion can increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Children are more prone to getting thyroid cancer due to such exposure. Potassium Iodide is really effective in blocking the uptake of Radioactive Iodine by the thyroid gland, thus reducing the risk of developing thyroid cancer in humans. But for this, an appropriate dosage of Potassium Iodide is required to be taken in timely manner. It is only protective for thyroid glands in radioactive emergencies and not for other forms of Radiation.

How Does Potassium Iodide Help To Prevent Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid gland, located below the Adam’s apple, produces and stores the hormones required for regulating heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure and metabolism. It is also a necessary factor helping in the growth and development of children. The thyroid glands require certain levels of iodine to function properly. If Potassium Iodide is taken in right dosage, it floods the thyroid with non- radioactive iodine so that the ingested Radioactive Iodine is not stored in the thyroid. Hence, Potassium Iodide protects the thyroid glands against radiation in nuclear plant emergency. It should be taken within a few hours before any emergency or immediately after the exposure to radioactive iodine.

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