Out-of-date iodine pills ‘still effective’

THE Department of Health has said it is uncertain if it will issue more iodine tablets after tests on the last batch revealed they are still effective despite being due to expire next month.

The 14.2 million tablets were sent to households and health boards in 2002 at a cost of €630,000 when, in the aftermath of September 11, fears grew of the effects of a terrorist attack on Sellafield or another European nuclear reactor.

The posting of the iodine tablets followed a controversial radio interview with then Junior Energy Minister Joe Jacob which raised fears over the State’s ability to deal with a nuclear emergency.