Hello,

Here is information I have found regarding the use of potassium iodide to prevent radiation damage to the thyroid in a nuclear crisis:

Cresson Kearney's book with Chapter 13 on this subject:

http://oism.org/nwss/s73p924.htm#Message2476

He refers to NASCO who will not sell to individuals now but San Jose Scientific at 408-453-5616 will. 250 Grams of crystalline or granular for $32.50 plus s&h (enough to treat almost 100 people for 20 days as I quickly figured it).

Please note that he says very clearly to NOT USE TINCTURE OF IODINE FOR THYROID SATURATION!!!!!

I have not researched this much further but several sources give similar information to his and this is definitely cheaper (but not as easy to use) than tablets (available from ANBEX at reasonable prices - they also have pretty thorough info. at their site). I cannot vouch for the quality or safety of this information - just trying to be helpful.

Always striving for optimism but not burying my head in the sand, Kristi

-- Kristi (securx@succeed.net), June 07, 1999

Answers

here's another source

Major surplus & survival 1.800.441.8855 11-3787 bottle of 100 tablets 29.95 2 or more 24.95 ea.

Tablets are chewable and have an INDEFINITE shelf life!

must be taken before exposure

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), June 07, 1999.

See also threads http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000vD4 and http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000v59 and http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000puv and of course http://home.earthlink.net/~kenseger/surv/IODINE.TXT and the source http://www.advance-scientific.com item # POT590 125g for $53.oo and 500g for $108.oo + shipping reagent grade purity 99.0%.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), June 07, 1999.

I am interested in finding out if these pills can be given to animals and what the dosage might be. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), June 07, 1999.

I bought 3 bottles today @ $10.00 each. (100 tablets) The directions say do not take til an event.

-- KoFE (your@town.USA), June 07, 1999.

Stan, you read my mind. I'll check a few vet sites I've come across since Bingo jr. blew out her knee earlier this year. Could be a tough nut to crack though.

Peace to All,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), June 07, 1999.

Here's a source for potassium iodide. You can get a two week supply for $5.50.

www.beprepared.com

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), June 08, 1999.

KoFE,

Please tell us where you made your purchase.

-- Rick (rick7@postmark.net), June 08, 1999.

M.O.M. carrys potassium iodate,buffered form. As I remember I paid around $15.00 approx. for bottle of 100 tabs. Think the price has gone up though. Here's address: http://www.logoplex.com/resources/mom

-- Barb (awaltrip@telepath.com), June 08, 1999.

Re. using KI for animals. I often treat my pets with herbs, etc. that I have only human dosages for. I just go by body weight. Obviously, even human dosages are not created by "rocket science," as one adult may weigh 2 1/2 times as much as another, yet medications just give child and adult dosages. I am not too big, myself, so go with a smaller dose for myself. For pets, I guesstimate that "adult" means around 150 lbs. and compare that to the weight of the pet and the strength of the substance. Meaning I give a bit more if the herb or whatever is quite safe in large doses. Usually, for instance, I give a cat 1/10 a human adult dose. Has worked fine. I myself have been wondering about KI (potassium iodate). Just what does it do to one besides block radiation? What effects does it itself have, radiation aside. Side effects? Precautions? After effects? Anyone know? Without these questions answered, KI dosage even for myself is problematical. What is this stuff? Shivani Anyway

-- Shivani Arjuna (S Arjuna@aol.com), June 08, 1999.

KI does not block radiation. It is a source of iodine so that the thyroid gland is flooded with safe iodine. Therefore if you inhale radioactive iodine and it is absorbed into your bloodstream, it can not be uptaken by your thyroid gland and lodge there. Radioactive iodine is an alpha emitter and has a half life of only 8 days. Therefore, it can only do significiant damage if it remains in one spot.

The danger of KI is the same as any iodine product, some people are allergiac to iodine. If a person has a history of problems with various deep sea foods like shrimp, which tend to have a lot of iodine in them, I would talk to an allergist.

Since the halflife of radioactive iodine is so short, you don't need to take KI very long. In fact just a single dose is of great benefit, if you take it when you should - before you are exposed. The FDA recommendation is one dose per day for ten days. Taking it for a long time, say months and months, is A. useless since the radioactive iodine is by then non-radioactive B. potentially harmful since that amount of exposure might induce an allergiac reaction. Hope this clarifies.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), June 09, 1999.

10 days is enough for one blast and resultant decreasing radiation levels, but what about multiple? Who says the days of one big A-bomb is all there is? Contingencies, contintingencies...

-- Barb (awaltrip@telepath.com), June 09, 1999.

Forgive typo. Trying to find an answer to above in Cresson Kearney's NWSS text, haven't read it all so far. Just got the hard copy, much easier reading than on line version. Anyway, pg113 of text, " The most dangerous type of radioactive iodine decays rapidly. At the end of each 8-day period it gives off only half as much radiation as at the start of that period. So at the end of 80 days it emits only about 1/1000 as much radiation per hour as at the beginning of these 80 days. Because of this rapid decay, a 100 day supply of potassium iodide should be sufficient if a nuclear war, either overseas or within the United States, were to last no more than a week or two."

That's what got my attention, NO MORE THAN A WEEK OR TWO?

Scary palm-sweating reading but I've got to think this through,it's part of my contingency planning/thinking mental work for the Great Unknown.

-- Barb (awaltrip@telepath.com), June 09, 1999.

Got Plenty is EXTREMELY pleased to have found this source for Potassium Iodate is a superior form of KI (buffered Iodine) and carried only by Medical Corps. Each factory sealed bottle contains 100 fresh tablets of Potassium Iodate 150mg.

The shelf life of Potassium Iodate is exceptional and should last a generation. Because of the extra molecule of oxygen in Iodate, Medical Corps can guarantee Iodate's stability without adding stabilizers.

Medical Corps recommends that each family member should have at least one bottle in their emergency kit. KI is the only known chemical available on the market which will shield (or block) the Thyroid and prevent it from absorbing radioactive Iodine.

Unlike other blockers, Medical Corps' stock is NOT government surplus 130 mg tablets. It is also chewable and especially recommended for children because our youngsters are extremely susceptible to thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive contamination.

REMEMBER

Be it a spill, accident, war or terrorism, Potassium Iodate is the only chemical which will protect you and your children. For those who are interested, it can be used for your pets also.

PRICING:

1 Bottle Special: This Month $16.95 per bottle PPD.

MULTI- Bottle Special: This Month $15.00 per bottle when you order 2 or more shipped to the same address.

Go to http://www.gotplenty.com/potassium_iodate.htm to order it. Or email us at info@gotplenty.com We have it in stock and ready to ship.

-- Evelyn Gehlsen (info@gotplenty.com), June 30, 1999.

Found the answer to my question on the gotplenty site. Here is what they say: POTASSIUM IODATE (Pronounced poe-TASS-e-um EYE-oh-dayt) (Abbreviated KIO3) WHAT IS IT? Potassium Iodate 150mg is a superior form of "KI" because of its extended shelf life and lack of bitter taste. The extra molecule of oxygen in Potassium Iodate 150 mg (actually KIO3), can guarantee the Iodate's continued freshness without adding stabilizers. Store at controlled room temperature between 150 and 300C (59 degrees to 86 degrees F). Keep bottle tightly closed and protect from light. It should remain stable for a generation. WHY SHOULD IT BE USED? During a Nuclear Disaster, such as War, Terrorism, a Melt Down, or spill, great amounts of Radioactive Iodine 131 are often released. Even though I-131 is radioactive, it is still Iodine and iodine is what the thyroid requires to operate correctly. the thyroid does not know the difference between "good" iodine and "bad" iodine, and will readily absorb Radioactive Iodine 131 if allowed to. What must be done in case of a Nuclear accident is to SATURATE the thyroid with the good iodine so that the bad iodine cannot do irreparable damage. HOW DOES POTASSIUM IODATE WORK? Certain forms of iodine help your thyroid gland work right. Most people get the iodine they need from foods like iodized salt or fish. The thyroid can "store" or hold only a certain amount of iodine. In a radiation emergency, radioactive iodine may be released in the air. This material may be breathed or swallowed. It may enter the thyroid gland and damage it. The damage would probably not show itself for years. Children are most likely to have thyroid damage. If you take potassium iodate, it will fill up your thyroid gland. This reduces the chance that harmful radioactive iodine will enter the thyroid gland. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE POTASSIUM IODATE ? The only people who should not take potassium iodate are people who know they are allergic to iodide. You may take potassium iodate even if you are taking medicines for a thyroid problem (for example, a thyroid hormone or anti-thyroid drug). Pregnant and nursing women and babies and children may also take this drug. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POTASSIUM IODIDE AND POTASSIUM IODATE ? Iodate has an extra molecule of oxygen, making it KIO3 rather than KIO2 . Iodide's taste is described as PAINFULLY bitter, including burning of the mouth and throat. This makes iodide extremely difficult to give to children since you must give them partial pills which are uncoated on the broken side. It was found during the Chernobyl incident to be so bitter that the children often vomited it back up and were unable to keep the dose down, thus leaving them unprotected. Many of these children are now suffering the effects of the radioactive iodine. Our youngsters are extremely susceptible to thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive contamination, they should always come FIRST. Potassium Iod ate lacks this bitterness and it is also chewable and especially recommended for children. Potassium Iodide carries a health risk of 2, which is moderate. This leads to a higher incidence of side effects than Potassium Iodate which carries a health risk of 1, which is slight. This makes iodate a safer choice and able to be taken for a longer period of time with fewer side effects. WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? Usually, side effects of potassium iodate/iodide happen when people take higher doses for a long time. You should be careful not to take more than the recommended dose or take it for longer than you are told. Side effects are unlikely because of the low dose and the short time you will be taking the drug. Side effects are also less likely with Iodate than Iodide. Possible side effects include skin rashes, swelling of the salivary glands, and "iodism" (metallic taste, burning mouth and throat, sore teeth and gums, symptoms of a head cold, and sometimes stomach upset and diarrhea). Only about 1 in 2,000,000 people are allergic to KI. A few people have an allergic reaction with more serious symptoms. These could be fever and joint pains, or swelling of parts of the face and body and at times severe shortness of breath requiring immediate medical attention. Taking iodate/iodide may rarely cause overactivity of the thyroid gland, underactivity of the thyroid gland, or enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). WHAT TO DO IF SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR If the side effects are severe or if you have an allergic reaction, you must decide whether to stop taking potassium iodate/iodide. Without it you will have no protection from the radioactive iodine. If the allergic reaction itself is life threatening, if possible, call a doctor or public health authority for instructions. Only about 1 in 2,000,000 people are allergic to KI. If a rash appears you may only be "mildly" allergic. You must make the decision, which is worse--- Radiation or a Rash~! HOW AND WHEN TO TAKE POTASSIUM IODATE Potassium iodate should be taken as soon as possible after public health officials tell you, after you get word of a nuclear emergency, or after the presence of radioactive fallout is detected. You should take the prescribed dose below every 24 hours. More will not help you because the thyroid can "hold" only limited amounts of iodine. Larger doses will increase the risk of side effects. This blocking must be done on a daily basis. Ideally you should start at least 12 hours BEFORE the Nuclear Fallout hits. In any case you should begin taking it either before actual exposure or within = hour after exposure in order to be effective. Continue to take it as directed below or until directed to stop by State or local public health authorities. Use during a NUCLEAR EMERGENCY ----- ONLY! Children 1 to 4 years old: 1.For the first 14 days the child should take = tablet twice a day. This is a total of 1 tablet per day for 14 days. 2.For the next 72 days the child should take = tablet per day. Adults, and children over 4 years of age: 1.For the first 14 days take 1 tablet twice a day. This is a total of two tablets per day. 2.For the next 72 days take 1 tablet per day. REMEMBER Be it a spill, accident, war or terrorism, Potassium Iodate is the only chemical which will protect you and your children. For those who are interested, it can be used for your pets also. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Shivani Arjuna (SArjuna@aol.com), October 07, 1999.

"POTASSIUM IODATE
"150 mg Tablets

"Potassium Iodate is a superior form of KI (buffered Iodine) and carried only by Medical Corps. Each factory sealed bottle contains 100 fresh tablets of Potassium Iodate 150mg.

"The shelf life of Potassium Iodate is exceptional and should last a generation. Because of the extra molecule of oxygen in Iodate, Medical Corps can guarantee Iodate's stability without adding stabilizers.

"Medical Corps recommends that each family member should have at least one bottle in their emergency kit. KI is the only known chemical available on the market which will shield (or block) the Thyroid and prevent it from absorbinb radioactive Iodine.

"Unlike other blockers, Medical Corps' stock is NOT government surplus 130 mg tablets. It is also chewable and especially recommended for children because our youngsters are extremely susceptible to thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive contamination.

"Remember, be it a spill, accident, war or terrorism, Potassium Iodate is the only chemical which will protect you and your children. For those who are interested, it can be used for your pets also.

"1 Bottle = 100 150mg pills.
"Use during a Nuclear Emergency ONLY
* For the first 14 days take 1 tablet twice a day. This is a total of 2 tablets per day.
* For the next 76 days take 1 tablet per day.

"Potassium Iodate 150mg is a superior form of "KI" because of its extended shelf life and lack of bitter taste. The extra molecule of oxygen in Potassium Iodate 150mg (actually K103), can guarantee the Iodate's continued freshness without adding stabilizers. Keep the bottle sealed, dry, and out of sunlight. It should remain stable for a generation.

"Why should it be used?
"During a Nuclear Disaster, such as War, Terrorism, a MeltDown or Spill, great amounts of Radioactive Iodine-131 are often released. Even though I-131 is radioactive, it is still Iodine ... and Iodine is what the Thyroid requires to operate correctly. The Thyroid does not know the difference between "good" iodine and "bad" iodine and will readily absorb Radioactive 131 if allowed to. What must be done in case of a nuclear accident is to SATURATE the Thyroid with the good Iodine so that the bad iodine cannot do irreparable damage. The blocking must be done on a daily basis at least 12 hours BEFORE the nuclear emergency starts and it must be continued for at least 80 days. [???]

"Medical Corp"

"Medical Corps is an organization of retired United States Armed Forces personnel united to bring to the citizenry of the nation education and training in survival and emergency medical techniques.

"Ralph Charles "Chuck" Fenwick is the founder and chief administrator of Medical Corp.

Address label on bottle:
"Medical Corps
45161 State Route 821
Caldwell, OH 43724

"New Important Information
[ the guy said for the last year, and the military is switching over to Postassium Iodate. He told us some info that we KNOW is not true, so we're being cautious ]

"New Thyroid Blocking Power
Did anyone besides Medical Corps understand what it means to have 100 suitcase Atomic Bombs unaccounted for by the former Soviet Union? Or maybe it is just a coincidence, but the US Government has instituted an NBC crash training program for emergency medical personnel in 120 cities nation wide! Medical Corps is involved with just that sort of training and has been for two years. One of the emergency procedures being taught is the use of the Thyroid Blocker called KI. This is the only chemical which will protect a human from absorbinb Radioactive Iodine 131. Iodine 131 is deadly and is especially toxic to children.

"Medical Corps now carries a superior form of KI. In the past we have marketed Potassium Iodide 150mg. Now we can offer a new product called Potassium Iodate 150mg.

"Medical Corps carries this superior form of KI. Potassium Iodate has an extra molecule of Oxygen which makes it more shelf stable than Iodide or Iodine. It is not as bitter as Potassium Iodide and can be chewed. Unlike the government surplus 130mg Iodide, Medical Corps chose the 150mg strength, as this will extend the thyroid blocking.

The store is called "American Family Network," and their website is at
http://www.americanfamilynetwork.com

Helps if your browser can see/use frames.

Medical Corp:
http://www.medicalcorp.org

Can get KI at Emergency Essentials.
Get your supply now! Don't wait.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), October 07, 1999.