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 worth stocking up on iodine now so that we can start taking it immediately after bad news.

What iodine necessary for minimization harm from radiation, Fine known from numerous publications. In February-March, against the backdrop of heightened anxiety about the use of nuclear weapons, pharmacies poured out gone missing many drugs, containing iodine, in particular L-thyroxine, necessary for patients with hypothyroidism (a condition of the body associated with a reaction to low levels of thyroid hormones), as well as potassium iodide. IN September Media also reported about the shortage 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, contains an iodine preparation for protection against radiation included called "Radiation Protectant No. 2".

By definition WHO Radiation, or ionizing radiation, is the transfer of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or subatomic particles. In nature there are natural sources of radiation - radioactive substances present in soil, water, air and in the human body. There are also artificial sources of ionizing radiation - X-ray machines or radiopharmaceuticals. The release of radiation can occur due to an industrial accident (as was the case in Chernobyl and on Fukushima), a terrorist attack at a nuclear power plant (for example, there is a threat of a terrorist attack at Zaporozhye NPPlocated in a combat area) or in the event 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 released, and not just iodine (I-131). For example, in reactions divisions uranium and plutonium also release cesium (Cs-137 and Cs-134) and strontium (Sr-89 and Sr-90). In addition, explosions can cause pollution thallium, ruthenium, xenon and other elements. For each substance there are its own antidotes, that is, antidotes. Do not take iodine in any way will not reduce harmful effects of cesium or strontium. In this case, for example, the harmful effects of cesium and thallium minimizes Prussian blue, antidote for strontium - activated barium sulfate (adsobar) and polysurmine. There are also complex preparations that protect against several radioactive compounds at once. For example, available in Russia "Pentacine“Accelerates the removal of plutonium, americium and curium isotopes from the body. That is, in each specific case of radiation exposure, a different group of drugs should be used for protection.

An iodine preparation, namely potassium iodide, is indeed capable minimize the harmful effects of radioactive iodine on the body, protecting, in particular, the thyroid gland, the organ that accumulates the largest amount of radioactive isotopes of the element. If you take potassium iodide (stable iodine), it “fills” the thyroid gland, and it simply cannot absorb radioactive iodine. This method called iodine blockade of the thyroid gland. Since potassium iodide is widely available (sold in pharmacies without a prescription), its popularity for protection against radiation is much higher than, for example, Prussian blue, which is quite difficult to purchase or even necessary manufacture in an artisanal way using complex chemical reactions.

It is important to remember that, firstly, effective protection from radioactive iodine is provided only by taking potassium iodide; an iodine mesh on the skin will not give the desired effect. But Lugol's solution, used to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases of the throat, may well replace tablet form of potassium iodide. The Federal Medical and Biological Agency on its official website also admits the use of an alcohol solution of iodine in the event that an emergency has occurred and there are no potassium iodide tablets. However, it also strictly stipulates that such therapy should be carried out exclusively by medical personnel. WHO website in the section “Use of potassium iodide to protect the thyroid gland during nuclear or radiological emergencies” mentions exclusively tablet form of potassium iodide and does not specify replacement options. It should also be noted that dietary supplements with iodine and multivitamin complexes cannot be a substitute for potassium iodide. On average, such preparations contain daily allowance the dose of iodine is 100–200 mcg, and for an 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 an alternative to potassium iodide can't Iodized salt is the one that contains too little stable iodine, and taking significant amounts of salt in a short time is dangerous to 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 is from less than 24 hours before and up to two hours after the expected entry of radioactive iodine into the body. It is also advisable, but less effective, to take potassium iodide up to eight hours after the intended exposure. After 24 hours from the moment of radiation, iodine prophylaxis is useless. Iodine blockade of the thyroid gland is quite short-term - it lasts only 24 hours. If there is prolonged or repeated exposure, it is impossible to avoid consuming contaminated food and drinking water, or if it is impossible to evacuate from the accident area, it is permissible to take iodine preparations again 24 hours after the first one.

Due to the short-term nature of iodine blockade, it is also not worth taking potassium iodide every day just in case. In 2004, after the accident at the Balakovo nuclear power plant, local residents steel Take iodine en masse - in the form of an alcohol solution, tablets, iodized salt or seaweed. Residents of Saratov, Samara, Saransk and Penza were hospitalized with serious poisoning. You can even be poisoned to death by iodine - a lethal dose if taken simultaneously amounts to 3 g. When intoxicated with iodine, the tongue and vocal cords swell, suffocation develops, the kidneys and cardiovascular system are damaged, vomiting and diarrhea begin, mental functions also suffer - delusions of persecution, psychosis and insomnia appear.

To summarize: iodine supplements, primarily potassium iodide, do protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine. It is important to take potassium iodide in recommended doses and strictly when there is a real risk of infection. For prevention, blocking 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 comprehensive protection, it is necessary to hide in a shelter, and also act in accordance with the instructions of medical and evacuation personnel, possibly including taking other radioprotective drugs.

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