Out-of-date iodine pills ‘still effective’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.

The tablets, which arrived nearly nine months after they were announced, expire in March.

“Preliminary tests have indicated that while the tablets show some deterioration, they would continue to be effective in the unlikely event of a major nuclear accident,” a Department of Health spokesman said yesterday.

“The tablets will be retested from time to time in line with advice from relevant experts but there has been a change in circumstances since 2001 as Sellafield no longer produces radioactive iodine.”

The tablets help to protect the thyroid gland, by reducing uptake of radioactive iodine.

The Government task force on emergency planning will decide whether to issue new tablets on Tuesday.

However, the Green Party has said the tablets do not offer any real protection and production of any more should be stopped.

“This is not a sincere attempt to meet the concerns of people about nuclear fallout. I think that the money would be better spent on keeping pressure on British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) to shut Sellafield,” said Green TD Dan Boyle.