Iodine pills issued in Belgium over nuclear ‘risk’
The move comes as concerns grow over the deterioration of two of the country’s nuclear plants.
Such is the worry, the government has ordered that everyone living within a 100km radius of the plants be issued with iodine pills.
Almost the entire population lives near nuclear plants.
Until now only residents within a 20km radius receive the pills but Health Minister Maggie De Block argued the existing legislation is inadequate.
The head of Belgium’s Green party, Jean-Marc Nollet urged caution.
“Just because everyone will get these pills doesn’t mean there is no longer any nuclear risk,” he said.
Neighbouring countries have continually expressed concern over the safety of the Tihange and Doel nuclear plants due to their close proximity to Belgium’s borders.
Last year a fire broke out at the Tihange plant and its nuclear reactor was subsequently shut down. It also had to be evacuated following the deadly terror attacks in Brussels.
About 11m people will receive iodine pills which help reduce radiation build-up in the thyroid gland.
Last week Germany asked that the 40-year-old Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors be turned off “until the resolution of outstanding security issues”.
Belgium’s official nuclear safety agency AFCN rejected the German request, saying the two plants “respond to the strictest possible safety requirements.”
