Published in the Asbury Park Press
By KAREN SUDOL
MANAHAWKIN BUREAU
State health officials have requested 864,000 potassium iodide tablets that people living within 10 miles of nuclear power plants could take to ward off thyroid cancer in the event of a radiation leak.
"We hope we'll never have to use it, but it's extremely important that we're prepared," said Clifton R. Lacy, the acting commissioner of the state Department of Health and Senior Services.
The state is one of 11 that have requested the free tablets from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission since the federal agency offered them in December.
The NRC received New Jersey's request by letter yesterday and is considering how many tablets to issue, said NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan, adding that this is the first time a state asked for enough pills to allot some for estimated population growth.
People living within 10 miles of the state's four nuclear power plants -- Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey and the Salem I and II and Hope Creek stations on Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek -- would receive two doses each. The population within a 10-mile radius of Oyster Creek is estimated at 228,624.
The state requested 722,000 doses to cover not only people living near the plants but also those working or vacationing there, according to state health department spokesman Dennis McGowan.
The peak number, however, was boosted 20 percent to allow for development and population growth over a five-year period, he said.
The tablets will be delivered to the state in about six weeks, said Sheehan. The state is responsible for distributing them. A distribution outline will be included in a report prepared by the state Medical Emergency Disaster Prevention and Response Expert panel -- a group of health experts and emergency preparedness officials created at the governor's request -- to be completed in a month.
Reaction from people living or working in the Lacey area was mixed yesterday, although most of those interviewed who live within 10 miles of Oyster Creek said they would take the pills in case of an accident.
"It's nice to know at least they (the NRC and the power plant) are looking at a leak as a possibility. For a long time, they were saying 'This couldn't happen here.' It's a precaution that makes me feel they're looking out for us at least a little bit," said Ken Pitman. He lives on Nantucket Road, not far from the plant.
The state's request was based mainly on Gov. McGreevey's stance that health and security risks be considered top priorities, said McGowan.
The company that operates the Oyster Creek power plant, Exelon Nuclear, will continue to work with officials "to ensure emergency preparedness in the Oyster Creek area," said spokesman David Carl.
In December, after years of debate and spurred by the Sept. 11 attacks, the NRC notified 34 affected states of its offer. The NRC has contracted with a Florida-based company, Anbex Inc., to provide 6 million tablets for slightly more than $1 million of agency funds.
The dosage limits -- two tablets for adults for a two-day period with decreased dosages for children -- were reached to give residents protection while they evacuate the area, said Sheehan. The tablets -- released in only 130-milligram tablets -- will have to be cut in half or quarters for children's doses, he said. Pregnant women can take the tablets, but those who are allergic to iodine can't. The pill's side effects are very few, said Sheehan.
Only those people living within the 10-mile emergency planning zones are to get the free tablets automatically. A decision on people who merely work nearby is still pending. For those who don't qualify, potassium iodide is available for sale over the counter. For about $10, consumers can buy 14 tablets, according to Johanna Flattery, a spokeswoman for Anbex.
The pills do not protect against all radiation-related illnesses.
Seeking doctor's advice
Judy Kronmeyer, who lives a block from Oyster Creek on Bay Parkway in Waretown, said she has a thyroid problem that might preclude her from taking any medication without a doctor's permission.
"I would definitely check with a doctor before I began popping any pills," Kronmeyer said. "And any distribution of iodine pills should be by medical professionals only."
Kronmeyer added that she would be more concerned with the long-term effects of radiation on public water supplies.
Lisa Reddingius, also of Waretown, said the thought of passing out pills in case of an emergency makes her nervous, but she added she would take them if they're distributed.
"I have a 5-year-old son to worry about. We moved here when we thought the plant was closing, but then they got the extension. We're thinking of moving because of things we heard about the safety of the plant," she said.
Lacey Police Chief Thomas Darmody, also the township's emergency management coordinator, said he'll reserve comment until he hears about the distribution procedure.
"More important than distributing it, though, is informing the public," he said. "People need to know the shelf life of it, when to take it. There is a lot of education that has to go on before it's distributed."
Staff writer Bill McLaughlin contributed to this story.
Published in the Asbury Park Press 3/21/02
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