Use of Iodine Tablets for Thyroid Blocking in the Event of a Nuclear Emergency with Release of Radioactive Iodine

Based on experiences of the reactor accident in Fukushima and the current guideline of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Iodine Thyroid Blocking, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) requested the Commission on Radiological Protection (SSK) to review and, if applicable, to update the information leaflets last published in 2011 on the “Use of Iodine Tablets for Iodine Thyroid Blocking in the Event of a Nuclear Accident” (so-called iodine information leaflets).
Overall, the review showed only a marginal need for revision of content, both in the information leaflet for physicians and pharmacists as well as in the information sheet for the general public. However, the information leaflets were edited and supplemented with the objective to improve comprehensibility and to provide more extended information on the protection concept.
The objective of iodine thyroid blocking by intake of high doses of stable iodine at levels 100 to 1000 times higher than the daily dietary intake is primarily to prevent radiation-induced thyroid cancer in highly vulnerable groups of the general public (foetuses, children and adolescents). Pregnant and breastfeeding women also belong to the group of highly vulnerable persons.
Authorities competent for planning iodine thyroid blocking are strongly recommended to provide the iodine information leaflets and information on iodine thyroid blocking to physicians and pharmacists in potential distribution areas in advance – e. g. by references to the website www.jodblockade.de. It is recommended further to address the subject of iodine thyroid blocking as part of medical education.