In the event of a possible terrorist attack on the ZNPP, it is not necessary to take iodine – scientists
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In any scenario of events at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, a probable terrorist attack or an accident, it is not necessary to carry out iodine prophylaxis. The State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety warned about this. Scientists note that the release of radioactive substances into the air will not contain dangerous isotopes of iodine, since they are formed only when the power unit is operating at full capacity. That is, when generating electricity. Photo: Evgenyjs1/Depositphotos “The last operating power unit of the Zaporizhzhya NPP was suspended in September 2022. This means that they have not been working and generating electricity for 9 months,” scientists write. According to them, iodine I-131 has the longest half-life of iodine isotopes – approximately 8 days. At this time, the amount of radioactive substance is halved. The remaining isotopes of radioactive iodine have an even shorter half-life. “At least 34 half-lives of this isotope of iodine have passed since the shutdown of the ZNPP power units. That is, its activity in the last stopped reactor at the ZNPP decreased billions of times compared to September 2022,” the scientists explain. Scientists conclude that iodine prophylaxis is needed only when there is a real threat of radioactive iodine entering the body. Now there is no such thing at the ZNPP. “In the event of a hypothetical accident or terrorist attack at the ZNPP, the emission of radioactive substances will not contain iodine isotopes. That is why iodine prophylaxis is not needed. Taking the potassium iodide drug under such conditions is not only useless, but also harmful,” warns the scientific and technical center. Unreasonable use of tablets or iodine solution can be dangerous for health. In particular, if you drink tinctures of iodine, Betadine or Lugol’s solution, you can get serious burns of the mucous membrane and poisoning. The instruction to take iodine, if necessary, should be given by local executive authorities on the basis of conclusions regarding the operation of the power plant from competent persons, the Ministry of Health or the State Emergency Service. We remind you that iodine preparations can be taken only in the event of a radiation accident, provided that a person is exposed to radioactive iodine isotopes. Read also: Why iodine solutions will not help in a radiation accident: explanation from the Ministry of Health
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