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Potassium Iodide question/ suggestion printer-friendly email a friend rss feed
Potassium Iodide

Potassium Iodide, known by its chemical symbol KI, is an over-the-counter medication. In the event of a serious nuclear plant emergency, KI can be used as a supplement to sheltering and evacuation.

Based on medical studies, federal guidance and an increased public interest in KI-potassium iodide, New York State and Westchester County have developed a program to provide KI-potassium iodide to residents who live, work or travel within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone.

Residents should understand that:

  • KI protects only the thyroid gland from radioactive-iodine that may be emitted during a radiological emergency.
  • KI offers no protection for other forms of radiation, nor does it protect any other parts of the body from radioactive materials.
  • KI provides no protection against external irradiation of any kind.

The FDA emphasizes that the use of KI should be used as an adjunct to, not an option “in lieu of” evacuation, sheltering, and control of foodstuffs. If you live within the 10-mile radius of Indian Point, you should pick up some free KI that you may need to use in a radiological emergency.

If you are instructed to take Potassium Iodide, and have the pills, follow these dosage instructions:

  • One 130 mg. dose for adults
  • One 65 mg. dose for children 3 years to under age 12
  • One 32 mg. dose for children over one month old to 3 years old
  • One 16 mg. dose for children birth to one month old

KI tablets are available at the following locations:

Village of Briarcliff
Municipal Building
1111 Pleasantville Road
Briarcliff Manor
(914) 941-4800


Village of Croton-on-Hudson
Municipal Building
1 Van Wyck Street
Croton-on-Hudson
(914) 271-4781

Town of New Castle
Town Clerks Office, Town Hall
200 Greely Avenue
Chappaqua
(914) 238-4771

Town and Village of Ossining
Community Center
95 Broadway
Ossining
(914) 941-3189

Town of Somers
Supervisors Office, Town Hall
335 Route 202
Somers
(914) 277-3637

City of Peekskill
Office of Emergency Management
4 Nelson Avenue
Peekskill
Call ahead (914) 862-1020
or (914) 862-1424

Town of Yorktown

Community and Cultural Center
974 Commerce Street
Yorktown
(914) 962-5758

John Hart Library
1130 Main Street
Yorktown
(914) 245-5262


Westchester County
Department of Emergency Services

Main Office
4 Dana Road
Valhalla
(914) 231-1850

 


 

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