Lessons from Fukushima: Potassium Iodide After a Nuclear Disaster

Abstract

The release of radioactive iodine after a nuclear disaster, such as those that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan 10 years ago and Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979, increases thyroid cancer risk among people who are exposed. Certain populations are especially vulnerable, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and neonates. Potassium iodide (KI) can effectively block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland if taken immediately after a radiation release. This article examines lessons learned from Fukushima to enhance disaster readiness and nursing actions. Nurses should be directly involved in vulnerability assessments, emergency planning, and in ensuring the availability, accessibility, and distribution of KI within U.S. nuclear power plant emergency planning zones before a crisis occurs.