For the case of a nuclear accident, the Federal office for radiation buys protection now iodine tablets

By 2022, all nuclear should be shut down power plants in Germany. Nevertheless, the Federal office for radiation protection now bought iodine tablets in case of a reactor accident. A source of danger, too close to the border of nuclear power stations.

190 million iodine tablets for approximately 8.4 million euros has ordered the Federal office for radiation protection, according to the WDR research by the Austrian pharmaceutical company, Gerot Lannach. This is four times the current stock.

The tablets are for the emergency preparedness to protect the population from thyroid cancer – should there be an accident with a nuclear reactor. Because the Federal office for radiation protection has concluded after the Fukushima accident also has implications for the emergency protection in Germany.

Nuclear phase-out in Germany in 2022, provided

The order seems to be the current point in time is absurd. Why should, of all things, a prostitute, a country that wants to have parked in a few years, all nuclear power plants, now such quantities of tablets? The journalist of the WDR, the Essen-based radiation Wolfgang Müller biologists spoke: “It could be the Dismantling of smaller accidents, but that would not draw any large-scale releases in the years after.” Much of the urgency of the risk through cross-border nuclear power plants was. “Think of Belgium, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden. And if something happens, we must protect the German population of course as well.“ To be emergency prepared, recommends that the radiation protection Commission concentrated iodine tablets.

The time of the taking is crucial

Iodine tablets can prevent by radioactivity-induced thyroid cancer. In the case of a reactor accident, it comes to, among other things, to the release of radioactive Jodmoleküle. The body via air or food. In the thyroid gland the Iodine is enriched. However, the body does not infinite amounts. The thyroid gland is already saturated with non-irradiated Iodine is the radioactive. Therefore, the time of the taking is crucial. The tablet is taken too early, it would reduced the Iodine from the body and radioactive Iodine might be stored. Take the tablet too late, it could be ineffective, because the radioactive molecules already have stored.

The area-wide supply of Iodine is, therefore, in case of an emergency is crucial. Particularly children and young people under the age of 18 years were considered at risk according to the Federal office for radiation protection. It is the taking in case of an emergency is recommended for all persons under 45 years of age, including children and Pregnant women.

The intake of iodine tablets is associated with health risks

Iodine tablets have side effects. Particularly risky are available for people with thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism. The revenue in the case of emergency, should be done only when the civil protection authorities call for it.

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