Availability of KI Tablets for Residents Near Nuclear Stations

The Durham Region Health Department is reminding residents living within 10 kilometres of the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations to ensure they have potassium iodide (KI) tablets available in their households. This recommendation particularly targets pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, as well as parents of infants, children, and adolescents, who are at higher risk from radioactive iodine exposure.

KI tablets are a stable iodine salt that can help reduce the risk of thyroid cancer in the event of a radioactive iodine release. In the unlikely event of a nuclear accident, these tablets should only be taken when directed by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

In 2015, a pre-distribution of KI tablets was conducted for residents and businesses within a 10-kilometre radius of the nuclear stations, as mandated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Residents are encouraged to confirm they have an adequate supply of these tablets.

Anthony Di Pietro, Director of Health Protection with the Durham Region Health Department, stated that KI tablets are available free of charge. He noted that anyone living within 50 kilometres of a nuclear generating station is eligible to receive free KI tablets if they wish to maintain a supply.

Ontario Power Generation has indicated that a serious nuclear accident is highly unlikely and would take many hours or days to develop. The Pickering nuclear generating station has operated for over 40 years without a serious incident, while the Darlington station has operated for more than 25 years without a serious accident.

To increase public awareness about KI tablets, the Health Department has created educational videos, which can be viewed on their YouTube channel. Information about KI tablets is also available in ten languages at preparetobesafe.ca.

A limited supply of KI tablets is available at local pharmacies, including:

• Bay Ridges Pharmacy, 1794 Liverpool Road, Pickering
• Pickering Medical Pharmacy, 1885 Glenanna Road, Pickering
• Liverpool Pharmacy, 725 Krosno Boulevard, Pickering
• Global Drug Mart Remedy’s Rx, 130 Waverly Road, Bowmanville
• Courtice Pharmasave, 2727 Courtice Road, Courtice.