A: Prepared Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions are only available by prescription, such as Lugol's Solution. However, anyone can buy Potassium Iodide USP and readily mix up their own Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions. There are two kinds of Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions that can be made. Saturated and anything less than saturated.

With a saturated Potassium Iodide (KI) solution you are adding a little more Potassium Iodide (KI) to a fixed amount of water until some of the crystals or granules will not dissolve. They will be visible at the bottom of the solution, even after vigorous mixing. The solution is now considered saturated when it won't take up and dissolve any more Potassium Iodide (KI).

From Cresson H. Kearny, the author of Nuclear War Survival Skills by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, states on page 114:

"To prepare a saturated solution of potassium iodide, fill a bottle about 60% full of crystalline or granular potassium iodide. (A 2-fluid-ounce bottle, made of dark glass and having a solid, non-metallic, screwcap top, is a good size for a family. About 2 ounces of crystalline or granular potassium iodide is needed to fill a 2-fluid-ounce bottle about 60% full.) Next, pour safe, room-temperature water into the bottle until it is about 90% full. Then close the bottle tightly and shake it vigorously for at least 2 minutes. Some of the solid potassium iodide should remain permanently undissolved at the bottom of the bottle; this is proof that the solution is saturated.

Experiments with a variety of ordinary household medicine droppers determined that 1 drop of a saturated solution of potassium iodide contains from 28 to 36 mg of potassium iodide."

Less than saturated Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions, when properly mixed, should give even more accurate dosages because there is more solution overall to be measured out per dose. For example, mixing and dissolving exactly 26 grams of Potassium Iodide USP into a liter bottle of water, for example, produces 1000 ml of Potassium Iodide solution with a strength of 130 mg for each 5 ml of that Potassium Iodide (KI) solution. There are 200 of those 5 ml servings in that 1000 ml (1 liter). 5 ml can be easily and accurately measured out with a common graduated medicine dropper. 5 ml is also equal to one measuring teaspoon.

Following the above formula, you could make up most any size and/or strength Potassium Iodide (KI) solution needed with accurate scales and enough bulk Potassium Iodide (KI).

Regardless of what kind of Potassium Iodide (KI) solution might be utilized, Potassium Iodide (KI) is very bitter. You must always then mix that dose (whether 4 drops saturated or 5 ml from the above formula) into another glass of juice, milk, or, at least, water to dilute it further before drinking.

As with the Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets...NEVER TAKE ANY MEDICINE OR DRUG WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN! YOU COULD HAVE ALLERGIES, OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR REACTIONS TO OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING, THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS OR LIFE THREATENING! ASK YOUR DOCTOR NOW, BEFORE A NUCLEAR EMERGENCY, AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW IF/WHEN IT'S NEEDED! (That's just part of being prepared!)

Q: Long Term Stability of Stocked Potassium Iodide (KI)?

A: Jerome A. Halperin, Executive Vice President-CEO of The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., wrote to the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on January 30, 1998 of a recent assay of 'expired' Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets.

The Thyro-Block Tablets (Potassium Iodide Tablets, USP, Lot T242N, Exp. November 89), after the USP Drug Research and Testing Laboratory analyzed samples, showed that approximately 11 years after their manufacture and eight years after their expiry date, the tablets assayed at 99.1% of the labeled content of potassium iodide. (This result was well within the rubric range of 92.5 to 107.5% required by the monograph.)

See the complete letter and laboratory reports here.

(Mr. J. Halperin should know what he is talking about. In 1979, while deputy director of the Bureau of Drugs of the Food and Drug Administration, he had directed the effort to get Potassium Iodide Solution, USP, manufactured and stockpiled in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania during the Three Mile Island incident!)

Also, in conversations with one of the largest Potassium Iodide manufacturers in the U.S., they shared that the shelf-life of their USP grade Potassium Iodide (KI), in their original factory drums, was 'indefinite', when kept dry and at room temperature or below. Furthermore, that the shelf-life of their USP grade Potassium Iodide (KI) dissolved into a water solution contained in a closed, dark colored, bottle at room temperature or below, was also 'indefinite'. It's expected that mandatory USP expiration dating will have them revising these downward some publicly, but the point is, properly stored, Potassium Iodide (KI) is inherently very stable. (If you have a need to know the name of this manufacturer, write: webmaster@ki4u.com)

Q: How Much Personally Stocked Potassium Iodide (KI) is Enough?

A: Unfortunately, there is no simple or standard response that could ever be applicable to all American families with their wide variety of concerns, locations, and situations. There are too many variables involved, both in the nature of the possible nuclear radiation threats and your particular family exposure to those threats.

From the following observations, tempered with your own knowledge and understanding, you'll have to try to arrive at a comfortable, prudent balance, tailored to your situation and outlook.

For a single and 'simple' nuclear facility radiation emergency event where a gaseous or aerosol radioiodine is released, and the source is soon contained so as additional radioiodine contamination is not ongoing, and that released radioiodine is soon dispersed, then the FDA Potassium Iodide (KI) product insert statement "You will probably be told not to take the drug for more than 10 days." would be applicable. That amount (10 days of tablets) would be available in any of the products mentioned above.

However, if the radioiodine is, instead, in the form of a particulate or fallout, not a quickly dispersing gas or aerosol, it will continue to be a threat via inhalation (dust) or ingestion (food, milk, etc.) there in the area it's deposited in.

That's why, while radioiodine has a short half-life of only eight days, some have suggested that it could continue to be dangerous for up to as many as ten half-lives...80 days! Staying in, or not being able to get out of, that radioiodine fallout contaminated area will require more than the single bottle, 14 day supply, of Potassium Iodide (KI) per person.

It should be noted that you may also be directed to evacuate the area altogether well before you exhaust your Potassium Iodide (KI) supplies, and should immediately do so if directed, both because of persistent radioiodine and other additional, and very dangerous, radioisotope fallout contaminations in that area.

The absolute minimum protection then, assuming successful evacuation in less than two weeks if needed or directed, would require stocking, at least, one Potassium Iodide (KI) package or bottle of 14 tablets per family member. Again, this is for the above scenario of a one-time 'simple' nuclear facility radiation emergency event and your families safe exit to a non-contaminated location before exhausting your Potassium Iodide (KI) supplies, if required.

Need to give thought here, too, to extended family, friends, neighbors, etc. Either stocking extra Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3 for them or advising them of their need to do so for themselves. (Quick/Easy way to tell your on-line friends and relatives about this FAQ here! You'll then be brought right back here!)

Preparing your family for future nuclear radiation emergencies will be based on your best perception of the possible and probable threats and nature of those nuclear radiation emergencies. You will have to gauge for yourself, and your family, the likely possibility for future nuclear radiation accidents and your families potential exposure to radiation contamination, if/when it occurs.

You also have to make some assumptions regarding the likely nature of those possible future nuclear radiation emergencies from study of current events and reviewing past nuclear radiation emergencies and the governments response. Short term, single event, where the radioiodine is gaseous/aerosol and soon dispersed. Or, something bigger, possibly multiple events, nuclear terrorism and/or ongoing continuing new contaminations.

Additionally, you have to assess the probable threat from nuclear war, either directed at the U.S. or fallout contamination originating from elsewhere in the world. Russia, China, North Korea, Pakistan, India, Middle East, etc. where any of them are exchanging nuclear blasts with any of their neighbors could have the prevailing west-to-east trade winds carrying the resultant radioactive fallout to our shores, too. (See Trans-Pacific Fallout.) You'll have to decide whether that's an impossible scenario in your lifetime, or not. And, prepare accordingly.

In light of all of the above, some civil defense experts recommend Americans should be stocking closer to 100 Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3 doses per family member.

With this in mind, some families nuclear radiation emergency preparations might include a combination of Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3 products. Any of the above packaged or bottled tablets, at least one per family member, for the convenience of each adult member being able to keep some with them for initial and immediate use whenever and wherever they might be when a nuclear emergency is first declared or recognized. (Also, to give immediately to the kids when/if you decide to go and retrieve them from school, etc.) Then, if funds had been snug, they might also have stocked some of the less expensive granular Potassuim Iodide USP for mixing a larger Potassium Iodide (KI) solution for the whole families use for the rest of the duration of the nuclear radiation emergency. (Thus helping to save some of the remaining, and more expensive, Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3 tablets.)

Bottom Line: Everyone will have to decide for themselves, and their families, the possible and probable threats, their personal and families potential exposure to them, and their comfort level to rely solely on outside government solutions to their future nuclear radiation emergencies.

Q: When Should I Take Potassium Iodide (KI)?

A: The FDA potassium iodide product insert says:

"Potassium iodide should be taken as soon as possible after public health officials tell you. You should take one dose every 24 hours."

"KI administered up to 48 h before 131-I exposure can almost completely block thyroid uptake and therefore greatly reduce the thyroid absorbed dose. However, KI administration 96 h or more before 131-I exposure has no significant protective effect. In contrast, KI administration after exposure to radioiodine induces a smaller and rapidly decreasing blockade effect. KI administration 16 h or later after 131-I exposure will have little effect on thyroid uptake and absorbed dose and therefore little or no protective effect."

Regarding Nuclear Power Plant Radiation Emergencies:

You might also want to leave yourself the option to discover, learn, and be vigilant for other pending nuclear power plant emergency warning signs to act upon, even before public declarations. For instance, if you have a nuclear plant near you, you probably already know somebody (or at least they know somebody that knows somebody) that works there. Talk to them, ask them how they plan to have their own families get a quick and prompt 'heads-up' if something starts happening. You might even ask to get on their phone list of people to call, it certainly couldn't hurt to ask, and could be a life-saver!

Another opportunity to learn what others are doing locally to keep abreast of any future emergency situations developing at the plant is to seek out the local nuke 'concerned citizens' group. Regardless of their politics, and your affinity to them or not, they may be a great source of contacts, procedures and suggestions for monitoring and reporting on any potential future emergencies brewing inside the plant. (They may even have some simple Radio Shack™ scanner suggestions, like what the news reporters and crime watch folks use, for monitoring plant and local emergency communications yourself in an unfolding emergency.)

You may also have friends (or they may have friends) who are in law enforcement, local emergency/disaster coordinator's office, or other government or emergency services who would be on early call-up lists for any potential problems at the local nuclear plant. Seek them out, too. You may even find a volunteer branch for some of these public safety functions that you could participate in and thus be even closer to the inner circle getting a heads-up to pending news announcements before the general public.

If, by cultivating a network of 'early warning' contacts, you do get indications of a pending announcement of a nuclear emergency being publicly declared soon, then you'll be in the enviable position to immediately launch your families nuclear emergency response plan. Whether you then commence Potassium Iodide treatments for your family, before official public declarations to do so or not, at least you will have earned for them and yourself the opportunity to choose.

You need to be aware, though, that just because there is an alert, unusual event, site area emergency, or even general emergency at a nuclear power plant does not automatically mean that radioactive iodine will be released. You've got to strike the right balance of being alert, informed, and prepared to act.

For individuals not already cautioned not to use Potassium Iodide (KI) (such as those known to be allergic to Iodine, having a medical condition that forbids it, or currently taking another medication(s) that would adversely react with it) the downside of beginning Potassium Iodide (KI) treatment, when later revealed not to have been needed, is statistically minimal. (However, you should always consult your personal physician, well ahead of any potential need for it, to assure that you and your children are unlikely to encounter any problems using it. That's just a part of being truly prepared!) You'll have to balance your final decisions against the potentially deadly downside of not having started early enough to have saturated your thyroid, and your childrens thyroids, with stable iodine to then avoid later uptake of a possible plume of radioactive iodine being carried in on the winds.

There are numerous incidents of nuclear power plant emergency releases of radioiodine that did not also have the public being immediately and effectively notified. You need to do what you can to network yourself into the nuclear plant emergency information loop, closer to the action, to be better assured of a prompt and informed notification.

This author was recently challenged by an employee of the NRC (speaking unofficially) suggesting it was 'somewhat irresponsible' to be recommending above here that people should be encouraged to try to attain information outside and beyond solely relying on the public warning systems and public notification procedures already in place. (Especially, didn't like the suggestion of utilizing scanners, where people might could then be listening in on "...transmissions between workers at power plants and then drawn their own conclusions from these discussions.") Specifically because, this person stated: "...at each nuclear power plant, there is an emergency notification siren system to alert citizens to a general emergency condition at a nuclear power plant. local officials will be notified and will notify citizens."
This author responded:

"If I could be convinced, that at the onset of a nuclear power plant emergency, that no employee there with family downwind, would ever think to call home, but would instead rely on the sequence of public notifications above to unfold and alert their loved ones to evacuate, then I could delete that whole section."

Regarding Nuclear Explosions Radiation Emergencies:

There is a wealth of early warning nuclear explosion information here on this site at Nuclear War Survival Skills Ch. 2: Warnings and Communications. It covers both strategic and tactical warnings and the effectiveness of in-place public warning systems. Beyond the obvious, it also details recognizable nuclear bomb effects, like bright lights, noise, and wide-spread electrical and communication failures that can alert you to the commencement of hostilities, even well away from your location, too.

Additionally, you should even try to cultivate contacts within the military similar to those you would establish above for early warnings of nuclear power plant emergencies. Once you start inquiring you might be pleasantly surprised to discover who knows who that knows somebody that might help you recognize a 'heads-up' coming or an heightened level of military alert.

And, of course, any close following of world-wide political and current events can reveal increased nuclear saber-rattling with a corresponding increased potential to break out into a nuclear exchange. You need to go beyond just the national media here in America and also explore the international overseas generated news sources. The BBC and some of the translated World News on satellite can give you unfiltered insights into what the governments in the Middle East, or China, Russia, Iraq, and North Korea, etc. are telling their people is important to focus on. It's often insightful 'news' and glimpses of emerging trends that their peoples are being prepped for. It's also routinely overlooked and 'missed' by the general U.S. press.

Also, shortwave listening to worldband broadcasting and discerning use of the internet can connect you with important stories hours, days, and sometimes, even months, before the mainstream press 'discovers' and reports on it. And, often, even when they eventually do report on it, it is a brief overview that doesn't give it the treatment deserved nor adequately reveals the implications of that event or news item. This is especially true in the cases where foreign countries are increasingly belligerent to each other and no US concern or future involvement is readily obvious.

We need to remember, too, that even nuclear war engaged in far from America, with the prevailing west-to-east trade winds, can carry the resultant radioactive fallout to our shores, too. (See Trans-Pacific Fallout.)

Bottom Line: While there may be much to be done in a developing nuclear emergency, evacuation or sheltering, you will also have the choice to commence your families Potassium Iodide protective treatments, early, when they can do the most good, if you've been vigilant and observant of the potential around you for future nuclear threats, here and abroad.

Q: For How Long Should I Take Potassium Iodide (KI)?

A: The FDA potassium iodide product insert says:

"You will probably be told not to take the drug for more than 10 days."

However, it must be noted, that radioiodine can be present as a much more persistent fallout, rather than a quickly dispersing gas or aerosol. There are also many other very dangerous radioactive isotopes that can be released during a nuclear emergency for which immediate or subsequent evacuation could be declared, and should be immediately heeded, regardless of radioiodine presence.

So, for how long do you continue to daily take the Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3?

Many believe that you should not stop until you have been, for at least a day or more, out of the possibility to ingest or inhale any more radioiodine. Either because its finally gone or you have gone out of the contaminated area to safer ground.

Why take any more Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3 at all, after getting safe? Because, even after you leave the contaminated area you could still be bringing some radioiodine with you...in your blood. While excess iodine, either stable or radioactive, will be quickly eliminated via the kidneys, you need to assure that your thyroid doesn't fall below fully saturated, until then. For this reason, you should strive to maintain a high blood level of stable iodine, with daily intakes of Potassium Iodide (KI) or KIO3, for at least another day or two.

Related to this topic, some experts reviewing the Chernobyl accident now feel that even much less than 130 mg Potassium Iodide (KI) daily dose works well to initially fill up and saturate the thyroid sufficiently. (FDA, supposedly, now also reviewing modifying its recommendations down to a much lower dose, too, though not for fewer expected total days, currently 10.)

Whether this is true, or not, a person might could go onto a reduced maintenance dosage, at some later stage, for a much longer extended period with a further reduced potential for any negative side effects, too. It should be repeated here, though, many thousands of people, for thyroid ailments, take more than twice the 130 mg Potassium Iodide (KI) dose daily and have for years. There is quite a bit of safe medical history for that particular application. (BTW, those thousands of thyroid patients, with their personal stocks of Potassium Iodide (KI), might could become pretty popular folks in their local neighborhoods, if word gets out during a nuclear emergency!)

Bottom Line: Regardless of our enthusiasm for Potassium Iodide (KI) and KIO3, and their extremely effective and safe track record, we must also say (according to legal eagles): The materials and information on this web site are intended for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. NEVER TAKE ANY MEDICINE OR DRUG WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN! YOU COULD HAVE ALLERGIES, OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR REACTIONS TO OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING, THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS OR LIFE THREATENING! ASK YOUR DOCTOR NOW, BEFORE A NUCLEAR EMERGENCY, AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW IF/WHEN IT'S NEEDED! (That's just part of being really prepared!)

Q: Candid Product Evaluations by FAQ Author

A: The following is from our product description/order page.
The link to it is on our Mission & Product Commitment page.

Q: Locations and Daily Status of Nuclear Reactors in US?

A: The NRC Daily Updated Plant Status Report is at http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/DAILY/psr.htm.

The states with nuclear reactors are listed below here.
To see details of the reactors in your state (or upwind of your location), click the state name.
(Bookmark us first!)

The map below, with more info, is at http://www.nrc.gov/AEOD/pib/disclaimer.html
Another, all North American reactors, with links to many other maps, is here.

Q: More Nuclear, Potassium Iodide (KI), KIO3, I-131 & Thyroid Cancer links...

Guidelines for Iodine Prophylaxis following Nuclear Accidents (World Health Organization, hosted here)

Nuclear War Survival Skills (Complete 280 page on-line book referenced above, hosted here)

FEMA Nuclear Weapon Target Maps and Surival Info for each State!

Bruce Beach's Nuclear Survival Ark II Site! (Updated 5/12/2001)

'You Will Survive Doomsday' (A myth-busting eye-opener!)

'11 Steps to Nuclear War Survival' (Canada Emergency Measures Organization)

What's The NRC's "Fighter Jet Rule" on KI? (Expose by 23 year NRC veteran!, hosted here)

Three Mile Island: The Rest of the Story... (Govt. scramble to get KI to TMI)

SECRET FALLOUT Low-Level Radiation From Hiroshima to Three-Mile Island (Complete 270 page on-line book, hosted here)

KI And Nuclear Accidents (American Thyroid Association)

DECADES of DELAY (The NRC's Failure to Stockpile Potassium Iodide & Protect the Public Health and Safety by Public Citizen)

FACT SHEET: Nuclear Power Plant Emergency (FEMA)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

International Atomic Energy Agency

Radiation Glossary for Students

CHERNOBYL PLUME: Country-by-Country Summary (Be sure to also check out Canada there, too...)

Dirty Rotten Reactors (TIME EUROPE - September 18, 2000, Vol. 156 No. 12 - While the West phases out nuclear power, Russia refurbishes its old plants and builds new ones...)

The Next Chernobyl? (U.S. News article)

Sickness Surrounds Nation's Nuclear Weapons Complexes (Numerous in-depth articles)

Listings of all known radiation materials locations (by state)

Estimated Exposures and Thyroid Doses Received by the American People from Iodine-131 in Fallout Following Nevada Atmospheric Nuclear Bomb Tests (Full final NCI report download links.)

Results of Nationwide Study of Radioactive Fallout from Nuclear Tests (NCI Press Release)

Official Statement of 'Downwinders' (re: Release of NCI report)

The Nuclear Files (Additional details and fallout maps of US Nuclear Tests)

Critique of NCI Report (by Physicians for Social Responsibility)

In Answer To Your Questions About Thyroid Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

Background Information on Thyroid Cancer and Radiation Risk (National Cancer Institute)

Q & A about radiation & thyroid disease (Hanford Thyroid Disease Study)

Nuclear Fallout, Radiation Exposure, Hanford, Chernobyl and Thyroid Cancer Links (comprehensive)

Radio-Iodine: From Hanford To Chernobyl . . . And Beyond? (Committee for Nuclear Responsibility)

Nuclear Terrorism - Sabotage and Terrorism of Nuclear Power Plants (Former nuclear weapon designer and former Deputy Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency, Ted Taylor says its very easy to turn a nuclear power plant into a nuclear weapon.)

Nukefix (Discussed in the Sept/Oct 2000 issue of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Encyclopædia Britannica and Newsweek.com describe it as a "superb tool." With it you can perform your own analysis of the nuclear weapons problem.)

Nuclear Blast Mapper Pick your town, choose your A-bomb, and see the blast/fallout effects mapped out!

Nuclear Information and Resource Service (Information and networking center for citizens and environmental organizations concerned about nuclear power, radioactive waste, radiation, and sustainable energy issues.)

Now, Read Here On-Line FREE...
Nuclear War Survival Skills

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