Potassium iodide available for Del. residents near NJ nuclear plants

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Division of Public Health are making potassium iodide tablets available free of charge for Delawareans living within a ten-mile radius of the Salem – Hope Creek nuclear power plants. 

The recent explosions at a Japanese nuclear plant, brought on by an earthquake and tsunami, have a lot of Americans thinking about nuclear safety.

DEMA says “evacuation remains the primary method of protecting Delaware residents” in the event of a nuclear incident.  Potassium iodide can offer additional protection against the effects of ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine.

The distribution takes place this Wednesday April 6th from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Middletown Volunteer Hose Company, 27 West Green Street. 

People who work within the ten-mile radius of the nuclear complex and those who own businesses in that area are also eligible to receive the tablets.  Anyone who is eligible is asked to bring photo ID and proof of residence, such as a utility bill.

DPH staff and a pharmacist will be available to answer questions during the session.

Anyone with questions may call the DEMA Radiological Emergency planning section at 302-659-3362 or visit www.dema.delaware.gov