After a surge in the use of potassium iodine (KI) following radiation reports in Japan, the public must be educated. Unless receiving huge doses of radiation, you do not need potassium iodide. No radiation warnings have been issued for the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has produced guidelines for taking potassium iodide:
KI should only be taken when the CDC issues a warning.
KI binds to the thyroid gland, thus not allowing cancer-causing radiation to bind. Only the thyroid is protected by KI. It is not 100 percent effective in preventing cancer and must be taken within several hours of the exposure.
Effectiveness is low in people over 40 unless they have been exposed to extreme doses of radiation.
KI can cause severe allergic reactions and brain damage when taken in large quantities. Overdose happens quickly, so do not take KI in large doses or for more than several days.
