Iodine tablets absent as emergency guide launched

THEY were meant to protect us in the event of a nuclear disaster at Sellafield, but the infamous iodine tablets will not be making an appearance in a handbook being launched today to prepare citizens for emergencies.

Earlier this month the Department of Health said it had decided not to reissue householders with the tablets, which were first distributed in 2002. So swallowing the tablets will not be a recommendation in the handbook launched by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Defence Minister Willie O’Dea. Instead the booklet, which cost almost €2 million to produce, will give householders three main pieces of advice in the event of a nuclear incident: Go in, stay in and tune in.

“In other words, stay indoors and listen to national radio and television for information and instructions. Follow the advice given by the authorities,” a draft of the handbook states.

“Once information is available on the accident and its consequences, specific advice will be given. This will include advice on whether it is necessary to stay indoors, to avoid consumption of locally grown foods or to take any other steps. Do not evacuate. If you evacuate you would subject yourself to a larger radiation dose as buildings provide more protection than vehicles.”

There is no mention of iodine tablets, the posting of which followed a 2001 radio interview by then Junior Energy Minister Joe Jacob which raised fears over the State’s ability to deal with a nuclear emergency.

But the handbook, which covers other potential emergencies, says the radiation doses from a nuclear accident “would not be high enough to cause any immediate health effects”.

It states: “The impact such an incident would have on Ireland would depend on the nature of the incident and weather conditions. Ireland’s prevailing westerly winds mean the chances of such an incident affecting Ireland are considerably lower than if the winds were easterly.

“Ireland’s distance from nuclear sites means that any radioactivity from an incident would be diluted before reaching Ireland. The radiation doses would not be high enough to cause any immediate health effects.

“Any increase in radioactivity levels would be relatively small, but could expose people to a very small risk of developing cancer over their lifetime. It is unlikely that the increase in cancer rates over current rates would be detectable.”