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 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 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.
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