Anyone who lives or works within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant should have potassium iodide in their first aid kit. Potassium iodide (KI) is essential to protect the thyroid gland from absorbing the radioactive Iodine released into the environment during a nuclear accident.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
When a person takes potassium iodide, the stable iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland, thereby “filling” the thyroid and preventing the absorption of any more iodine—stable or radioactive—for the next 24 hours. People (especially those over the age of 40) should only take potassium iodide on the advice of public health or emergency management officials.
Potassium iodide is available in both adult and pediatric doses. Children under the age of 12 are the most at risk for the effects of radioactive iodine on their thyroid. It is extremely important to have potassium iodide on hand in the event of an accident at Seabrook Station.
We believe that all residents living within the Emergency Preparedness Zone (EPZ) should automatically be provided with free potassium iodide pills from their local governments.
The pills are not automatically provided, however. While they are free, they must be requested. Learn how to request KI pills for your household below.
How to Request Potassium Iodide Pills
Anyone who lives or works within the Emergency Preparedness Zone can request a free dose of potassium iodide to use in the event of a radiological emergency. Schools, businesses, and institutions within the zone may also request a supply to distribute during a nuclear emergency at Seabrook Station.
New Hampshire:
- Fill out the Potassium Iodide Online Application provided through the Homeland Security & Emergency Management Resource Center.
- Fill out the NH Potassium Iodide request form and mail it to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Massachusetts:
- Fill out the Potassium Iodide Online Application provided through the Homeland Security & Emergency Management Resource Center
- or contact your town’s Health Department directly to request potassium iodide pills.
What towns are within the Seabrook EPZ?
The Seabrook Emergency Preparedness Zone is a 10-mile radius around the plant. While people within this radius can get a free dose of potassium iodide, we recommend that anyone living within 50 miles (the actual evacuation radius of the Fukushima accident) consider having an emergency preparation plan.
NH communities within the EPZ:
Brentwood, East Kingston, Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, New Castle, Newfields, Newton, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rye, Seabrook, South Hampton and Stratham.
MA communities within the EPZ:
Amesbury, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, and West Newbury.
IMPORTANT READING
- Learn more about how you can prepare from our partners at the C-10 Foundation.
- View the Seabrook Station Preparedness Information site.
- Potassium iodide is available without a prescription. People should only take potassium iodide on the advice of public health or emergency management officials. Learn more at the CDC website.