Radiation review - updates - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, Sept, 2002

Amid concerns for safety in light of continued terrorist threats, the watchdogs at Consumerlab.com in June released a review of potassium iodide/potassium iodate.

In the event of a nuclear explosion, these supplements are supposed to protect the thyroid gland from the effects of radioactive iodine, says Consumerlab.com.

In an emergency, most people would receive the supplements from government agencies and local pharmacies. But Consumerlab found that most pharmacies--even those near nuclear facilities--don't routinely stock these products. In an informal survey BN conducted of natural products stores around the country, 10 percent had the supplement.

"Despite there being good products available," says ConsumerLab's president Tod Cooperman, "in a real emergency, neither government agencies nor local pharmacies seem ready to rapidly get radioprotective iodine to those who need it."

As for the supplements themselves, all six products that were tested passed Consumerlab's procedure. Prices range from 18 to 66 cents per pill, and bottles can cost as much as $60. More information is available at consumerlab.com.