Politics & Government

New Stock of Potassium Iodine Pills Available

Barnstable County residents are eligible to receive free Potassium Iodine (KI) pills to protect them in the event of a radioactive release at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.

The Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment is restocking local health departments on the Cape and Islands with Potassium Iodine (KI) pills.

Officials are encouraging residents, especially those with children, to keep the pills in their emergency kits. KI pills protect the thyroid gland in the event of a radiological emergency.

The restocking, which last occurred in 2007, is pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Ch. 111, Sec. 5K. The law makes KI pills available to Cape Cod and Islands residents as well as those within 10 miles of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth.

According to capecodonline.com, the pills are  courtesy of Entergy Corp., Pilgrim's owner-operator. The pills run about 35 cents each, making the company's total cost under $600,000.

KI pills are available at the Barnstable Health Division, 200 Main Street, Hyannis.



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