One dangerous contaminant released by a nuclear event is radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine can enter the body through food, water, or air. Once in the body, radioactive iodine accumulates in the thyroid gland, where it contributes to harmful processes such as thyroid cancer.

You can protect yourself against radioactive iodine by using a salt called potassium iodide. By saturating the thyroid gland, potassium iodide prevents the gland’s uptake of dangerous radioactive iodine.

Potassium iodide is most effective when used before or immediately after exposure to radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide does not protect against other radioactive agents.

Potassium iodide is FDA-approved and may be used by children and adults. Maintaining a supply of potassium iodide is an essential component of a radiological emergency plan.

Potassium iodide is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is available as an over-the-counter drug in liquid and tablet forms. The recommended doses usually range from 65 to 130 milligrams (mg), and potassium iodide tablets are available in 65 mg and 130 mg tablets. The liquid form provides 65 mg of potassium iodide in each milliliter (mL) of liquid.

What are the typical doses of potassium iodide? The FDA recommends the following doses before or following exposure and contamination with radioactive iodine:

• Newborns up to one month of age: 16 mg of potassium iodide, which would be one-fourth of a 65 mg tablet or a one-fourth dose of liquid
• Infants between the ages of one month and three years: 32 mg, which would be one-half of a 65 mg tablet or a one-half dose of liquid
• Children between the ages of 3 and 18 years: one 65 mg tablet or one mL solution
• Adults: 130 mg, which could be one 130 mg tablet, two 65 mg tablets, or two mL of liquid
• Breastfeeding mothers: 130 mg
• Children who weigh more than 150 pounds: 130 mg.

These doses described protect the thyroid gland for 24 hours. A one-time dose will likely be sufficient in most situations. If high levels of radioactivity persist in the environment or food supply, public health officials may recommend daily dosing as outlined above. Newborn infants, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should be evacuated if radioactivity persists in the environment, and should not receive additional doses of potassium iodide unless other protective measures (such as evacuation, sheltering, and control of the food supply) are unavailable.

Potassium iodide has generally been found to be safe when administered in recommended doses. Higher doses of potassium iodide do not increase protection against radioactive iodine. In adults and children at risk for exposure to radioactive iodine, the overall benefits of potassium iodide far exceed the risks of overdosing. Closely monitoring the dose in infants, however, is particularly important.

Administration of potassium iodide to newborns has been associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels, so their thyroid function should be monitored. Individuals who are allergic to iodine and those who have certain skin, kidney, or thyroid conditions should consult a physician before using potassium iodide.

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