In 2016, the government decided to extend the area of the areas affected by the Special Intervention Plan (PPI) around French nuclear power plants. This area has thus increased from a radius of 10 to 20 km around the 19 power stations. In this context, a letter was sent to all residents affected by this extension of the PPI in September inviting them to go to the pharmacy in order to withdraw iodine tablets free of charge.
However, it seems that all these new residents did not rush to the pharmacy. According to a survey carried out by the Nuclear Safety Authority in the municipalities located within the radius of 10 to 20 km from the power plants, only 22% of the inhabitants have withdrawn their iodine tablets.
“5 months after the launch of the campaign and the sending to individuals and establishments receiving the public of mail allowing them to withdraw their box (s) of iodine tablets, 22% of individuals, 60% of schools and 16% of ERPs went to pharmacies “announces ASN in a press release. All local actors (mayors, pharmacists, doctors, etc.) are therefore invited by the Nuclear Safety Agency to make residents aware of the importance of removing their iodine tablets.
When to take the tablets
These tablets should not be taken for prevention but are intended to protect the thyroid gland against radioactive contamination in the event of an alert. In the event of a nuclear accident, taking stable iodine tablets makes it possible to saturate the thyroid gland which, thus, can no longer capture or fix the radioactive iodine.
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