Youth to be given iodine tablets preferentially in Japan

July 3, 2019

Tokyo--The Nuclear Regulation Authority decided Wednesday to prioritize people aged under 40 in the distribution of stable iodine tablets, which help reduce exposure to radioactive iodine in the early phase of a nuclear accident.

The plan was clarified in draft amendments to guidelines on measures to be taken in the event of a nuclear accident and their manual, which were approved on the day. The drafts were drawn up in May and opened for public comments.

"They (the amendments) aim to enhance effectiveness by putting a priority on protecting children with higher risks," said Nobuhiko Ban, an official of the authority in charge of the amendments.

Young people have higher risks of developing conditions such as thyroid cancer if they absorb radioactive iodine. Stable iodine, or nonradioactive iodine, reduces the effects of radioactive iodine.

The revised guidelines state that minors, pregnant women and nursing women are should be given priority in the distribution of stable iodine tablets.

They also called on local governments to inform people that the risk of internal radiation exposure is higher than that of adverse effects from the tablets.

The manual states that the tablets will be distributed initially to people aged under 40 in principle, as well as pregnant women aged 40 or older. The use of tablets is ineffective for most people aged 40 or over, it said. Jiji Press