AZ health officials: Skip the potassium iodide pills

Reacting to radiation fears from a Japanese nuclear plant following the earthquake and tsunami, there’s been a run on potassium iodide tablets across the western U.S.

While there is a plume of radiation coming toward the southwestern U.S. coast from Japan, the amount of radiation in the plume is not much different than people experience on a cross-country flight, state and federal authorities say.

The Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency, the state Division of Emergency Management and the Arizona Department of Health Services today said state residents are safe from dangerous radiation and should be aware of the potential dangers of taking potassium iodide when there is no danger.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all stated that there is no risk expected to Arizona or its residents as a result of the situation in Japan.

Officials said state and federal authorities are keeping close tabs on the changing situation with the air currents from Japan. 

“Between the state and federal agencies monitoring the situation, we are confident that there is no danger to the people today,” state health department director Will Humble said.  “We are worried that people are taking medication that they don’t need and could create problems for themselves.”

  State officials say Arizonans should not take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure primarily because it’s not necessary given the current circumstances in Japan. But the medicinal compound can also be dangerous to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish and to people with thyroid problems. Also, taken inappropriately it can have serious side effects, including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

    For more information on the emergency in Japan, including answers to some frequently asked questions, visit the Arizona Emergency Information Network website at www.azein.gov or e-mail questions to azein@azdema.gov