There is an opinion that taking iodine preparations immediately after a radiation release saves the body from infection. We decided to check whether it is actually a iodine now to stock up in order to start taking it immediately after bad news.

What iodine It is necessary for minimization harm from radiation, Fine It is known from numerous publications. In February-March, against the backdrop of an aggravated anxiety about the use of nuclear weapons, from pharmacies massively Gone many drugscontaining iodine in their composition, in particular L-thiroxinnecessary for patients with hypothyroidism (the condition of the body associated with the reaction to a low level of concentration of thyroid hormones), as well as iodide potassium. IN September Media also Reported About the lack of iodine -containing drugs. The fact that iodine is necessary in case of radiation exposure is indirectly evidenced by the fact that the latest version of the individual first-aid kit (AI-4), and earlier in AI-2, the drug of iodine to protect against radiation Enters called "Radio Protection No. 2".

By definition WITH radiation, or ionizing radiation, is the transfer of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or subatomic particles. In nature, natural sources of radiation are found - radioactive substances present in the soil, water, air and in the human body. There are also artificial sources of ionizing irradiation-X-ray apparatus or radiopharmaceutical preparations. Radiation can be released due to an accident in production (as it was in Chernobyl And on Fukushima), a terrorist attack at nuclear power plants (for example, there is a threat of a terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plantlocated in the combat area) or in the case of the use of nuclear weapons (as happened in Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki).

It is important to immediately note that as a result of a nuclear disaster, various radioactive elements are distinguished, and not just iodine (I-131). For example, in reactions divisions Uranus and plutonium are also distinguished by cesium (CS-137 and CS-134) and strontium (SR-89 and SR-90). In addition, pollution may occur as a result of explosions Tallium, ruthenia, xenon and other elements. Each of the substances has its own antidotes, that is, antidote. Ido reception to no extent Will not reduce harmful effects of cesium or strontium. At the same time, for example, the harmful effects of cesium and tallia Minimizes Prussian blue, antidote To the strontium - activated barium sulfate (ADSOBAR) and polysourm. There are also complex drugs that protect at once from several radioactive compounds. For example, available in Russia "Pentacin»Accelerates the excretion from the body of isotopes of plutonium, America and Curia. That is, in each case, the radiation effect should be used to protect your group of drugs.

The drug iodine, namely iodide potassium, really capable minimize the harmful effects on the body of radioactive iodine, protecting, in particular, the thyroid gland is an organ that accumulates the most significant amount of radioactive isotopes of the element. In the case of taking iodide potassium (stable iodine), it “fills” the thyroid gland, and it simply cannot absorb radioactive iodine. Such a method called iodine blockade of the thyroid gland. Since potassium iodide is widely available (sold in pharmacies without a recipe), its popularity for protection against radiation is much higher than, for example, Berlin azure, which is quite difficult to purchase or completely necessary make With a artisanal way using difficult chemical reactions.

It is important to remember that, firstly, from radioactive iodine, only the intake of iodide of potassium gives effective protection, the iodine mesh on the skin will not give the proper effect. But Lugol’s solution, used to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases of the throat, may well replace The tablet form of iodide potassium. Federal Medical and Biological Agency on its official website also admits The use of an alcohol solution of iodine in the event that the emergency occurred, but there is no potassium iodide tablets. However, it is also strictly stipulated that such therapy should be carried out exclusively by medical personnel. WHO site in the section "Using potassium iodide to protect the thyroid gland during nuclear or radiological emergency situations" mentioned The exceptionally tablet form of potassium iodide does not stipulate the replacement options. It should also be noted that dietary supplements with iodine and multivitamin complexes cannot be replaced by potassium iodide. On average, such drugs contain Daily The dose of iodine is 100-200 μg, and for the effective blockade of the thyroid gland, an adult needs to take 125 mg, that is, 625–1250 vitamins, depending on the dosage of iodine in their composition! Also alternative to iodide potassium Can't To perform iodized salt - there is too little stable iodine there, and taking significant volumes of salt in a short time is dangerous for health.

It is worth noting that taking potassium iodide just in case is useless, and in some conditions of the body it can be harmful. WHO calls The most optimal interval from less than 24 hours to and to two hours after the alleged entry of radioactive iodine into the body. It is also advisable, but less effective to take potassium iodide up to eight hours after the alleged irradiation. After 24 hours from the moment of radiation, iodine prevention is useless. The iodine blockade of the thyroid gland is quite short -term - it lasts only 24 hours. With prolonged or repeated exposure, the impossibility of avoiding the use of contaminated food and drinking water, or if it is impossible to evacuate from the accident area, we will accept the re -taking iodine preparations 24 hours after the first.

Due to the short-term nature of the iodine blockade, to take iodide potassium just in case every day is also not worth it. In 2004, after an accident at the Balakovo NPP, local residents steel Take iodine en masse - in the form of an alcohol solution, tablets, iodized salt or sea cabbage. With serious poisoning, residents of Saratov, Samara, Saransk and Penza were hospitalized. Iodine can even be poisoned to death - a lethal dose with a simultaneous reception It is 3 g. With iodine intoxication, the tongue and vocal cords swell, suffocation develops, the kidneys and cardiovascular system are damaged, vomiting and diarrhea begin, mental functions also suffer-there is nonsense of persecution, psychosis and insomnia.

Summing up: iodine preparations, first of all, potassium iodide, really protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine. At the same time, it is important to take potassium iodide in recommended doses and strictly with the real danger of infection. For prevention, to make a blockade of the thyroid gland is useless and even dangerous. It must be remembered that iodine protects only the thyroid gland and only from radioactive iodine. For complex protection, it is necessary to hide in the shelter, as well as act in accordance with the instructions of medical and evacuation staff, possibly, including other radioprotectors.

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