LEONARDTOWN, MD (July 29, 2014) – St. Mary’s County Health Department will distribute Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets to residents living or working within the 10 mile emergency protection zone (EPZ) of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant who have never received, lost or have expired KI tablets. The Health Department will collect previously distributed KI tablets that have expired. Distribution will be: Tuesday, August 19, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. Residents will need to show proof of residence and/or employment within the 10 mile zone. There is no fee for the KI. Tablets will be distributed with an information sheet about KI and instructions on how and when to take the medication. KI is pre-distributed to prepare the public for the possibility of an emergency radiation event. Instructions for KI use will be provided again if an emergency radiological event ever occurs. The St. Mary’s County Health Department last distributed KI tablets to St. Mary’s County residents living within a 10 mile radius of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in June of 2010.
Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets may help prevent thyroid cancer in people exposed to radioactive gases released during atomic reactor accidents. They do not prevent any other radiation-related cancers. Because radiation induced thyroid cancers are slow growing, sometimes taking years to develop, KI tablets may be most effective for children and young adults.
The area within the 10 mile radius (EPZ) includes the following communities beginning in the north: Queen Tree Landing, Sandgates, Riverwood Farms, Hollywood Shores, Wildwood, Winterseat, St. Mary’s Beach, Sotterly Manor, Fenwick Manor, Gillens Grove, Land-O-Lakes, Holly Gaf Acres, Drum Cliff, Hillville, St. Cuthbert Wharf, Clarkes Landing, Scotch Point, Myrtle Point, Mill Cove, Mill Cove Manor, Kingston Manor, Holly Haven, Town Creek, Town Point, Esperanza Farms, Town Creek Manor, Town Creek Farm, Cal Acres, North Town Creek Manor, Woodland Acres, Wildwood (from Cottonwood Parkway on the north to Wildwood Parkway on the west), Middle Earth, Red Hill, and Peacock Manor.
Residents living or working in the 10 mile (EPZ) zone may also pick up KI at the St. Mary’s County Health Department, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Health Department nurses will be available during the distribution event to answer questions residents might have about the KI tablets. Residents may also contact the St. Mary’s County Health Department Division of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response at 301-475-4295 or visit the health department website at www.smchd.org to learn more.