Residents in western Chatham-Kent have no reason to fear the release of nuclear radiation, despite the Health Unit giving out potassium iodide (KI) pills next month.
This is according to Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Colby, who says the pills are just a precaution as western Chatham-Kent is within the Secondary Zone of the Fermi 2 nuclear facility in Michigan.
“In the unlikely event of an emission of radiation, the thyroid gland is very sensitive – it’s the most sensitive part of the body to radioactive iodine, which can be emitted from these facilities. Giving a large dose of potassium iodide before the radiation hits people can saturate the thyroid gland and prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine,” explains Dr. Colby.
Colby says residents and individuals working in Lighthouse Cove, Tilbury, and Wheatley will be given the pills next month, which are part of an emergency preparedness program. He says they’re just a precaution, and the program is not in response to an increase in threat.
“It always was a potential threat, though the likelihood is very low. The fact that our emergency preparedness measures and the trans-border plans that have been developed are catching up with this, and the standards have changed in the last few years, it’s now considered that there’s a secondary zone that does not require evacuation, but rather prophylaxis with potassium iodide, and we’re just implementing that,” Dr. Colby explains.
Dr. Colby says the pills are a preventative measure to lower the risk of individuals developing thyroid cancer after the radiation emission.
He stresses that there is no immediate risk to residents.
“This does not reflect any increase in risk. This is one more preventative public health measure that can be undertaken in case of a problem, and we don’t anticipate this program being activated,” says Dr. Colby.
The Public Health Unit released a statement (below) on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018.
Preparations are underway to make medication available to residents and businesses in the west end of Chatham-Kent to protect the health of the public in the event of an unexpected release of nuclear radiation.
Precautionary measures are taken for people who live within the 80 kilometer Secondary Zone of any nuclear facility, even though an accident and discharge of radiation is unlikely. The Fermi 2 nuclear facility is in Monroe, Michigan and its Secondary Zone encompasses a large part of Windsor Essex, and a small area along the west edge of Chatham-Kent that includes the communities of Lighthouse Cove, Tilbury, and Wheatley.
A program to provide medication to Windsor and Essex County residents in the Secondary Zone was announced on October 15. The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is working with the Ontario Government Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to develop and administer a plan for Chatham-Kent residents within the Secondary Zone. This map identifies the Secondary Zone area.
Homes and businesses within the Secondary Zone are encouraged to have potassium iodide (KI) tablets on hand. In the unlikely event of a release of radiation, the consumption of KI tablets is vital to protect the health of people. The tablets would only be consumed in the event of a nuclear emergency, and directions for properly taking the KI tablets would be provided by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. The medication is most effective when taken just before or within three hours of exposure to radioactivity.
Each household or business should have a two-day supply of KI tablets available. A two-day supply would consist of four tablets per adult, and two tablets per child. The risk of side effects from taking KI tablets is low for people with normal thyroid function.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is currently working on its plan to distribute medication to those Chatham-Kent residents living and working within Secondary Zone. Details will be released at a future date.
People who have questions can contact the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit at
519-355-1071.
