Poitassium iodide as a radioprotector - Research Paper Example

?Administration of Potassium Iodide as a radioprotector after nuclear accidents The only potential causes of large radioiodine emissions into the air are a disastrous accident within an operating nuclear reactor, and a detonation of nuclear weapons. In case of a nuclear event, detrimental and poisonous radioactive materials could be emitted into the environment. One of the major health risks comes from radioactive forms of iodine element, which could be taken up by the thyroid gland, consequently causing cancers as well as other incapacitating illnesses (Robbins & Schneider, 2003). Potassium Iodide (KI) is a vital component of any emergency preparedness kit and is typically aimed at survival after the occurrence of a radiological or nuclear event. Potassium iodide provides stable iodine which serves to counteract the effects of radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine is essentially a by-product of a nuclear accident or a nuclear attack (Santen et al., 2003). The human body needs iodine for the purpose of creating as well as regulating thyroid hormones. Upon the entry of the radioactive version of the salt into the air or when it pollutes food, the thyroid gland will absorb the poisonous and dangerous chemical, and this will lead to contamination internally. Potassium iodide contains stable iodide which could stop the absorption of radioactive iodine even for the period of a nuclear event or radiological event. It is noteworthy that the thyroid gland will become filled with stable iodine and it would not be able to process more salt for twenty-four hours. Whist table salt also has iodine; it does not offer an adequate dose that would help in blocking the absorption of radioactive iodine (Likhtarev et al., 2002). The effectiveness of KI is dependent on a variety of factors. Since potassium iodide does not totally protect a person against the exposure of radioactive iodine, it is imperative for precautions to be taken in order to increase the chance of success. Taking KI directly before a nuclear event or soon after would offer the optimal protection. Nonetheless, the more time that lapses between supplementation of KI and exposure, the greater the risk of being poisoned (Jourdain & Herviou, 2010). Potassium iodide in general cannot discontinue radioactive iodide from poisoning an individual’s body. While the chemical serves to buffer the thyroid gland against poisoning, other body parts remain vulnerable to harm and injury. Radioactive iodine is just 1 of many particles and chemicals emitted into the air and food after a nuclear accident. Even though KI is certainly helpful, people must take caution and incorporate other medications and supplements in their emergency preparedness kits that are aimed at other health concerns. It is also notable that following the damage of the thyroid gland by radioactive iodine, KI is not able to reverse the damage (Santen et al., 2003). In spite of the increased levels of radioiodines that were detected in Poland following the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in 1986, there were no further occurrences of thyroid illnesses in that region. This is primarily because the government of Poland dispensed roughly 18 million dosages of potassium iodide medicines in a manner that was well-timed, with virtually no adverse or serious effects on health (Santen et al., 2003). Timing of the distribution of potassium iodide is essential since if administration of KI is held-up by just 4 hours following the exposure to radioiodines, its efficiency and success is cut by ?. This reality has major policy connotations as it implies that local governments need to store the drug within the local community instead of relying on the national/federal or regional stocks that may take days before reaching the affected populace. Iodine131 has a half life of just 8 hours, and this means that the time required by people for protection is somehow narrow (Kulinowski, 2011). After a nuclear accident, the merits of KI far outweigh any risks involved. The familiar side effects associated with potassium iodide drug include salivary gland problems, allergic reactions, stomach aches/gastrointestinal disturbances and rashes. More grave outcomes could take place when people take very high dosages of the medication, when they take KI very often or if they suffer from any pre-existing complications of the thyroid (Baverstock et al., 2000). In particular, people who have iodine sensitivity must avoid potassium iodide. Those with hypocomplementemic vasculitis and dermatitis herpetiformis – very uncommon conditions linked to increase in risk of iodine hypersensitivity – should also avoid KI. Thyroidal side effect of KI is iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis, which is more frequent in areas with iodine deficiency and in older individuals, and normally calls for repeated dosages of KI. Hypothyroidism and iodine goitre are possible side effects common in areas which have iodine sufficiency, but they require chronic high dosages of KI. As such, people with Grave’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis and multinodular goitre have to be treated cautiously, particularly if the dosage extends for more than a few days (Santen et al., 2003). In newborns, there might be a development of hypothyroidism after the supplementation of KI. In smaller dosages, KI is safe for both children and newborns. Mothers who are breast feeding and expectant women must take KI medication for protection. Young adults, though not as impressionable to radioactive iodine, must take the prescribed dosages after a nuclear accident. With regards to older adults, they need to renounce from the usage of KI except if large contamination levels are anticipated. Older adults generally have a greater chance of allergic reaction and develop less thyroid injuries after contamination (Robbins & Schneider, 2003). For a single dosage of potassium iodide, the protective effect lasts for about 24 hours. As such, repeat administration of the medication is imperative where there is ongoing or continuing contamination. I agree with the scientific evidence. It is notable that the thyroid gland absorbs only as much iodine as it can utilize. When people consume tablets that contain potassium iodide for the days after the release of radiation – the time in which exposure is greatest – their thyroids would saturate and would not absorb much of the radioactive iodine131. Potassium iodide is effectual as a radiation medical countermeasure only for internal poisoning with iodine that is radioactive; it cannot treat or stop problems because of internal poisoning from other isotopes (Santen et al., 2003). If potassium iodide is taken in a proper manner, it will protect against internal radiation from radioiodine that has been taken into the body. If KI is taken either very soon after or before a radioiodine intake caused by a nuclear accident, and if the compound is taken in appropriate dosage, then it will block the uptake of radioiodine by the thyroid gland (Becker et al., 2001). Potassium iodide is able to offer vital protection for only 1 organ from radiation following a nuclear event because of 1 radionuclide; it helps to protect the thyroid gland from an intake of radioiodine. The compound potassium iodide is often added to table salt, that is, sodium chloride (NaCl) for the primary aim of iodizing the table salt. Iodine is an element which the thyroid gland takes from the bloodstream and is indispensable for the proper functioning of thyroid gland. This gland cannot distinguish between nonradioactive iodine and radioactive iodine (Jourdain & Herviou, 2010). If the gland takes in all the iodine it requires from the nonradioactive potassium iodide, then the iodine which is radioactive would not be absorbed by the thyroid; the radioactive iodine would be eradicated from the body largely through urination. In essence, decreasing the quantity of radioiodine absorbed by the thyroid gland would decrease the dosage that the thyroid receives, thus decreasing thyroid cancer risks (Robbins & Schneider, 2003). The scientific method analyzed radiation protection with potassium iodide on a cohort that comprised 34 children with neuroblastoma and established that KI protects the thyroid against radiation. Follow-up was done for a period of 19 months. The pitfall is that only children were used in the study while infants, young adults as well as older adults were disregarded. As such, their study does not provide the effective dose amounts for these other groups as well as the effectiveness of the dosage. The source is authentic since it is peer-reviewed and scholarly. Moreover, the source was authored by 5 individuals who have PhDs in oncology and radiotherapy. The American Cancer Society and the Cancer Journal are behind the source. The scholarly article was published in the United States. There is no any bias; the use of multiple authors for the article served to prevent any bias from occurring from any of the authors. 5 pages = 1,375 words Number of words in this paper = 1,408 / 5 pages References Baverstock, K., Egloff, B., Pinchera, A., Ruchti, C., & Dillwyn, W. (2000). Thyroid Cancer After Chernobyl. Nature; 359(45):21-22. Becker, D. V., Robbins, J., Beebe, G. W., Bouville, A. C., & Wachholz, B.W. (2001). Childhood Thyroid Cancer Following the Chernobyl Accident: A Status Report. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am; 25(1): 197-211. Jourdain, J. R., & Herviou, K. (2010). Medical Effectiveness of Iodine Prophylaxis in a Nuclear Reactor Emergency Situation and Overview of European Practices. Luxembourg, European Union: European Commission, Radiation Protection Unit. Kulinowski, K. (2011). Can Potassium Iodide Protect my Health After a Nuclear Accident? Houston Chronicle 34(97). Likhtarev, I. A., Shandala, N. K., Gulko, G. M., Kairo, I. A., & Chepurny, N. I. (2002). Ukranian Thyroid Doses After The Chernobyl Accident. Health Physics; 64(6):594-599. Robbins, J., & Schneider, A. B. (2003). Thyroid Cancer Following Exposure to Radioactive Iodine. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 81(65):197-203. Santen, H. M., Kraker, J., Berthe, L. F., Jan, J.M & Vulsma, T. (2003). Improved Radiation Protection of the Thyroid Gland with Potassium Iodine. Cancer, 98(2). Read More