Potassium Iodide (KI) Program

Versión Española del HTML

Section Outline -- Please use the outline below to navigate the KI section.

1. General Information
   • Introduction (see bottom of page below item 3)
   • FAQs
   • Guidance for the Administration of KI
     • Statutory Authority to Administer
   • Information Sheets (Quick Facts)
     • English
     • Spanish
   • Map of NC Nuclear Power Plants and 10-mile Emergency Planning Zones
   • Memoranda from State Superintendent and State Health Director
   • North Carolina KI Policy


2. Information for School Administrators, Teachers, and Staff
   • Background Information -- Distribution to Schools
   • Duties of Teachers
   • FAQs
   • Memoranda of Understanding
   • NC Board of Nursing Letter
   • Sample Letter to Parents from Carolina Beach School


3. KI and Schools: Information for Parents
   • FAQs
     • English
     • Spanish
   • Opt-In/Opt-Out Form
     • English
     • Spanish

Following a June 2003 offer by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to supply potassium iodide tablets free of charge to states for people in the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) around nuclear facilities, North Carolina Public Health, Emergency Management and Radiation Protection officials requested and obtained approximately 750,000 tablets from the NRC. The KI pills were designated for distribution to residents and workers in the 10-mile EPZs of the four nuclear power plants located in or adjacent to North Carolina. Potassium iodide (often identified by its chemical symbol, KI) is a type of salt that is added to table salt in small amounts to "iodize" the salt so that people have sufficient iodine in their diet to maintain normal healthy thyroid function. KI is also made into a non-prescription medication that may be used to protect the thyroid during a nuclear power plant emergency involving the release of radioactive iodine. If taken within the appropriate time period and at the appropriate dosage, it blocks the thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine, reducing the risk of thyroid cancer and other thyroid disorders.

Since receiving the tablets in August 2003, local health departments in the 10-mile EPZ counties have distributed KI pills to residents, workers, and businesses on a voluntary basis. Additionally, in fall 2003, KI tablets were made available to all public and private schools located in each 10-mile EPZ. Planning efforts are currently under way to make the tablets available to all identified childcare facilities located in the 10-mile EPZs. Like previous distributions to the public, this effort will be carried out by local health departments assisted by DHHS staff.

Translation of KI Fact Sheet into foreign languages: In addition to Spanish, the KI Fact Sheet is available in some Southeast Asian languages. Please contact Bill Furney by email or phone at 919-715-4174.