Potassium iodide protects thyroid if Indian Point leaks
The Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services has stocked the Philipstown town clerk’s office with a supply of Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets available at no charge to residents during its regular weekday hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
The FDA since 2001 has recommended that residents living near nuclear power plants such as Indian Point in Buchanan keep a supply of KI tablets on hand in the event of a “radiation emergency.” Each tablet prevents the vulnerable thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine for 24 hours, although it does not protect other organs.
The tablets are not recommended for adults over the age of 40 because that group has the lowest chance of developing thyroid cancer or injury but is most likely to have allergic or adverse reactions. Fetuses and infants are most at risk. For more information, visit emergency.cdc.gov.
Town Hall is located at 238 Main St. in Cold Spring. The clerk also has a supply of the Indian Point Emergency Planning Guide, or it can be downloaded at putnamcountyny.com. The Bureau of Emergency Services site includes a list for assembling a “go” bag for quick evacuation.
