All Belgians to be given iodine pills for nuclear safety - BBC

[gary]

In the event of being exposed to radiation, for example being exposed
to fallout from a nuclear bomb blast or a nuclear reactor explosion,
it is advisable to take potassium iodide (KI) as quickly as possible.

The thyroid cannot tell the difference between stable and radioactive
iodine. By flooding your thyroid with stable iodine, you can help
stave off the thyroid becoming contaminated with radioactive iodine.

For example, the population of Pripyat, near Chernobyl, were
issued with potassium iodide pills in the morning after the meltdown.
The Soviets had stockpiled them for such an emergency.

Since there are health risks associated with taking potassium iodide,
you should only take it on advice of officials in an emergency.

The BBC reports that Belgium's Health Minister, Maggie De Block, said
that iodine pills should now be issued to the entire Belgium population.

Currently iodine pills are issued to people living within 20km of nuclear
reactors in Belgium and the call is to increase that to 100km.





Article here -
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36157806

A subtext might also be the fear of a terrorist attack on a nuclear reactor.

Last month a Belgium nuclear plant guard was murdered and his security pass
stolen. It was also reported that two workers at a Belgium nuclear power plant had fled to
Syria and had joined ISIS. One is believed to have been killed in Syria.
See -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3510384/Belgian-nuclear-plant-guard-murdered-security-pass-stolen-two-days-Brussels-attacks.html

[xelasnave]

No comment

Alex:Di

[GTB_an_Owl]

somebody is worried :scared3:


geoff

[glend]

When I was 11 years old, about 56 years ago in the early 1960s, i was treated for an enlarged thyroid. The treatment consisted of bombarding the thyroid with xray radiation and there were numerous treatments over a period of several months. This was with one of those old giant xray machines which took up a whole room, not one of the low dose devices used today. This was considered state of the art medicine back then. The enlarged thyroid resolved itself. Decades later some of the children so treated developed thyroid cancer, the risk was certainly increased for of us, no problem for me but i am always on the lookout for lumps in the area, as is my GP.
Where i grew up table salt was iodised as a matter of course, not sure why. usMaybe it helped, maybe not.
Not sure the people of Belgium have anything to worry about, other than being blown up by a nut case. The people who lived in Chernoble (sp) ok i can see they should take precautions.

[deanm]

Table salt typically has iodine added - this is to tackle iodine deficiency, which is the leading cause of intellectual & developmental disabilities.

Astonishingly, up to 2 *billion* people are affected globally (that's almost 1/3 of the human population!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodised_salt

Dean

[multiweb]

Wow, this nuclear rhétorique of late is getting really depressing. Here's an idea. How about a couple of chill pills with a drop of Chardonnay and everything will turn pink and fluffy... even the clouds. :thumbsup:

[Kunama]

:thumbsup:

+1. :thumbsup:

[Bart]

Thank you Doctor Marc, what a great pescription!! :lol:

Administer immediately........done! :D

[astroron]

No different to talking about any other energy source,
It should be discussed, as by discussing it begets more understanding.
No need to sweep it under the carpet.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[multiweb]

I'd be more worried about all the additives and chemicals stuffed in our every day food. That will kill you quicker than any radiation. But hey, not to worry. Gotta die of something might as well enjoy the ride.

[torana68]

sounds like a media beat up (coupled with anti nuclear groups) What is the point of handing out the pills for a event that's not going to be planed or may not even happen, ever, I really think this should read "in the event of........ we will issue ........ to all " ???? honestly whos still going to have these things where they can be found after a month , 6 months or longer?
I DO NOT believe anything the press comes up with without a lot of research.

[astroron]

Well get on and do some research then, I am sure there are people who are aware of the security situation in that country.
Belgium has some of the most vulnerable nuclear facilities in Europe,
With the security which has just happened in France and Belgium,it is better to be safe than sorry afterwards.

[xelasnave]

Follow the money.
The seller of pills may have started a scare on facebook.
Maybe the coal lobby started it.

Anyways its a bet against an accident free future.

I, ll drink to that.

Alex

[torana68]

I'm aware of it they are useless, have no idea and totally lost, that covers their "security" and its still a beat up as far as I can see.......... if they allow a nuclear incident they may not be in control of their own country for long after.

[torana68]

ok , this is the closest I can get to the original announcement by Els Cleemput, ‎Spokesperson to Maggie De Block, minister of Social Affairs and Public Health (Belgium) I'm not going to try and find the original in Dutch..... (my bold and italics)

"Belgium is considering handing out iodine tablets to citizens in the event of a nuclear emergency. The pills are used to lessen the impact of radiation on the thyroid gland, and can reduce the risk of thyroid cancer after exposure.
The measure was recommended (http://www.health.belgium.be/sites/default/files/uploads/fields/fpshealth_theme_file/css_9235_avis_fukushima.pdf) by the Superior Health Council as part of a revision of the country’s rules on dealing with a nuclear accident. The Health Ministry said it will take the suggestion into account as it draws up new rules to be finalized before the end of the year."

So as I said media beat up coupled with anti Nuclear sentiment, I NEVER believe what's written in the press as it almost always ends up to be a distortion of the facts.

[gary]

The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was founded in 1957.
Though legally distinct from the EU, it has the same member states and
is governed by the EU's institutions.

Article 30 of the Treaty (http://europa.eu/eu-law/decision-making/treaties/pdf/consolidated_version_of_the_treaty_ establishing_the_european_atomic_en ergy_community/consolidated_version_of_the_treaty_ establishing_the_european_atomic_en ergy_community_en.pdf) that binds Euratom stipulates that "Basic standards
shall be laid down within the Community for the protection of the health
of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from
ionizing radiations."

Article 31 of the Treaty goes onto to state that these basic health standards
shall be worked out by the Commission after it has obtained the opinion
of a group of scientific experts, in particular health experts, in the Member
States.

In 1982 the expert group recommended the introduction of emergency
countermeasures including iodine prophylaxis.

These recommendations were revised again in 1997.

The World Health Organization also provided recommendations on stable
iodine.

In general, most of the EU follows the WHO guidelines.

As a result, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxemberg.
Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have provided
pre-distribution (http://www.nationalrep.org/2001/File19.pdf)of stable iodine tablets available to power plant workers
and the general public for some decades.

Specifically, these countries have pre-distribution of stable iodine within
5km radius of nuclear power plants and have stocks available for pickup,
typically from pharmacies, schools and fire stations, within a radius of
10 to 20km.

Finland has already pre-distributed stable iodine tablets to the entire
population for some time.

France has provided pre-distribution of iodine tablets since 1997 within
a 10km radius of nuclear power plants.

In order to assess the pros and cons of pre-distribution, France conducted
a drill. Since those who were close to the plant had been ordered to best
stay indoors, it was found prudent to pre-distribute to them. Those further
away from the plant were given coupons which they could take to a
pharmacy. In the exercise, 58% took their coupons to the pharmacy and
exchanged them for dummy pills.

Now and then EU member states review their health and safety requirements
as stipulated by the Treaty. In this latest instance, the Belgium health
experts are recommending to extend the stable iodine distribution
zone to 100km which given it is a small country will extend to the entire
population.

This process of continual health and safety review, consultation with the
public health authority and review and adoption of the recommendations
comes from within the auspices of the European Atomic Energy Community
itself, Europe's peak body to promote nuclear power.

[OICURMT]

When I read threads like this I can't help but inject some reality and humor...

One of favorite videos regarding Media Hype and mis-direction / mis-information.

Ivo Vegter, a South African journalist gives a 2013 TED talk about Hydraulic Fracturing ("fracking") but leads the talks with Scary Bananas and Good M.S.G.


ENJOY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zJn4gxCx3c
OIC!