Prepare for Nuclear Mishap NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition

Iodine, an element that naturally collects in the thyroid, can be absorbed in its radioactive form; it concentrates in the thyroid and can trigger cancer decades after exposure, even though the radiation disappears from the body after two months. Potassium iodide pills, widely distributed around Che...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNewsday
Main Author Assemb. Eliot L. Engel(D-Bronx) - Albany
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Long Island, N.Y Newsday LLC 04.07.1986
EditionCombined editions
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Summary:Iodine, an element that naturally collects in the thyroid, can be absorbed in its radioactive form; it concentrates in the thyroid and can trigger cancer decades after exposure, even though the radiation disappears from the body after two months. Potassium iodide pills, widely distributed around Chernobyl in the days after the disaster, block the absorption of radioactive iodine 131. Taking this simple precaution to protect the public from radioactive exposure is the least we can do.