April 8, 2003
Government
Scare tactics.
This should keep everyone too afraid of "terrorist attacks" to notice that the Ashcroft bunch are continuing to rob them of their Constitutional rights: Iodide pills urged for homes, schools.
Yeah, it's not a terrible idea. It's just that the chances of this actually being necessary are very low. Potassium iodide pills protect against only one type of exposure and children (as well as adults!) need it anyway, for good health. This is why ordinary table salt is often "iodized" (that is, has had potassium iodide added to it).
For some real information, see Potassium Iodide (KI) - Radiation Studies" at the CDC. From the first paragraph of that page:
Taking potassium iodide (KI) tablets after an incident involving radioactive materials may or may not limit the risk of damage to a person's thyroid gland from ionizing radiation.
Emphasis mine.
Posted by Frank at April 8, 2003 8:55 AM