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[Warning Science Content]
Potasium Iodide (KI) loads the thyroid with iodine, preventing the uptake of the fission product Iodine 131. Because of its short (8.0197 days) half life and high specific activity I 131 can cause a high incidence of thyroid cancer. KI does not; however prevent damage from other radionuclides created by the fission process.
Also, because of its short half life, and relatively long dispersal patterns, I 131 would be the least of one’s worries outside of a fairly short distance from the source of the radioactivity.
[/Warning Science Content]
The stupidity of the general public, and the news media in particular never fails to amaze me!
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