What does it mean for a State to consider the use of potassium iodide?
A State considering the use of potassium iodide would at least review the regulation (66 FR 5427 ; January 19, 2001 ), the Federal Policy on the Use of Potassium Iodide , the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines "Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies." , the FEMA guidelines, and the NRC disclaimer, and would briefly deliberate the State's position on the use of potassium iodide by the general public in the unlikely event of a severe nuclear reactor accident.

In the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) experience, States periodically review their emergency preparedness plans to ensure that the plans are up-to-date and account for the possibility of changed circumstances in any locality. The NRC expects that States that routinely schedule periodic reviews of their emergency preparedness plans would consider use of potassium iodide during their first scheduled review. NRC expects that States that do not routinely conduct such reviews would consider the use of potassium iodide whenever they schedule periodic emergency preparedness exercises.

Show All Answers

1. What is potassium iodide (KI)?
2. What is the role of potassium iodide in radiological emergency preparedness?
3. What is the benefit of taking potassium iodide during a radiological accident?
4. Does this rule imply that America's nuclear reactors are less safe?
5. Why does the rule require States to consider the use of potassium iodide instead of mandating its use?
6. What does it mean for a State to consider the use of potassium iodide?
7. What kinds of things should States consider in deciding whether to incorporate the use of potassium iodide in their emergency planning?
8. What are the recommended dosages of potassium iodide?
9. Can individual members of the public obtain potassium iodide?