Iodine tablets for Kagoshima Pref. residents

 July 27, 2014

Kagoshima residents near Sendai nuclear plant given iodine tablets

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/07/27/national/kagoshima-residents-near-sendai-nuclear-plant-given-iodine-tablets/#.U9Ty-bHi91s 

Kyodo

Local authorities in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday started handing out iodine tablets to residents living within 5 km of the Sendai nuclear power plant, which may be restarted in the fall.

It is the first time iodine tablets have been distributed under guidelines instituted by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, which was set up in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Iodine tablets help people protect their thyroid glands from radiation.

The move by the Kagoshima prefectural and Satsumasendai municipal governments came after Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai plant cleared a key safety hurdle for restarting operations earlier this month.

About 2,700 of the roughly 4,700 residents over 3 who live within the 5-km radius were given a supply of tablets after hearing an official briefing, submitting medical interview sheets and receiving the green light from doctors, according to prefectural officials.

Briefings for the remaining residents will resume in September, they said.

A total of 39 residents declined to receive the tablets. Children under 3 will receive the equivalent at shelters in the event of a nuclear accident, the officials said.

Iodine distributed to residents near nuclear plant

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140727_15.html 

Government officials in communities near the off-line Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture have distributed iodine tablets to residents. Preparations are underway to restart the plant.

A disaster preparedness plan developed by Kagoshima Prefecture says about 4,700 people aged 3 or older living within 5 kilometers of the Sendai plant should take iodine tablets in the event of a nuclear accident. Iodine helps prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive substances.

The governments of Kagoshima Prefecture and Sendai City distributed iodine tablets to 2,661 people on Sunday.

Residents were given permission to take the medicine after consulting with a doctor as iodine can cause side effects.

Residents visiting a facility in Sendai City received background information about iodine from a pharmacist before being given the medicine.

A 64-year-old man said he feels reassured because the medicine is being distributed in advance. He said he won't need to take it unless there's an accident at the plant, so he hopes there won't be one.

This is the first time iodine is being distributed under new safety guidelines drawn up by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority.

Prefectural and municipal authorities are planning to distribute iodine to other residents after holding a public meeting on the matter in September or later.

Jul. 27, 2014 - Updated 04:57 UTC