| WASHINGTON,
D.C. – In response to a question from U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky
(D-IL), Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said, “…making this potassium
iodide available, it is a good way to begin partnering with the state and
local governments to give a little more assurance and provide some protection
to citizens.”
Schakowsky,
who is leading efforts to convince the state of Illinois to accept the
free offer from the federal government to stockpile potassium iodide pills,
questioned Ridge during a Government Reform Hearing on the President’s
proposal to create a Homeland Security Department. Potassium
iodide pills help insulate the thyroid gland from absorbing dangerous radioactive
substances, such as Iodine 131, that may cause cancer.
“Governor
Ridge agrees with most experts and ordinary people that it makes sense
to distribute potassium iodide pills. It makes even more sense
to distribute them in Illinois, the most nuclear state in the country,”
said Schakowsky.
More
than a dozen states, including New York, Florida, and California have accepted
the free offer of potassium iodide pills from the federal government to
distribute to residents within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has stated that the pills are “a reasonable,
prudent and inexpensive supplement to evacuation and sheltering…in the
event of a severe nuclear power plant accident.” And, according
to the Food and Drug Administration, the pills are safe.
Earlier,
Schakowsky had said, “I don't understand why the offer of free pills, which
are approved by the FDA, should not be taken. To me this just seems like
foot dragging.” |
