Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
75 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the purchase and distribution to 2.1 million households of iodine tablets during 2002; if it is planned to withdraw these tablets in view of reports that they would be useless in the event of an incident at Sellafield and could even pose a health risk to some persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10802/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Eastern Regional Health Authority, which managed this contract, has indicated that the cost of purchase and distribution of iodine tablets to households during 2002 was approximately €2.2 million.
One packet containing six potassium iodate tablets BP 85 milligrams was to be delivered to each household; this is sufficient to provide a single dose for each member of an average sized household. Iodine tablets offer protection by saturating the thyroid gland with safe, stable iodine in order to prevent it from accumulating any radioactive iodine that may have been released into the environment arising from a nuclear incident. The persons for whom the tablets are recommended are pregnant women, women who are breast-feeding, newborn infants and infants, children and adolescents up to the age of 16 years. The benefit to other population groups is limited.
While the Calder Hall reactors based on the Sellafield site were closed in March 2003, other operational reactors in the UK and elsewhere still pose a potential risk and it is therefore not proposed to recall the iodine tablets already distributed.
In rare instances there may be an allergic response to iodine including fever, joint pain, facial swelling and breathlessness, which may require medical attention. Available evidence indicates that adverse effects associated with stable iodine are uncommon and generally minor. These may include dermatologic and sensitivity reactions. However, when potassium iodate is consumed as a prophylactic agent such adverse effects are unlikely because of its low dose and single use. The information leaflet provided with the iodine tablets contains information regarding those persons for whom the tablets are contraindicated.
