Taking iodized salt does not help prevent radiation, iodized salt can prevent nuclear radiation is pure rumor, rush to buy unnecessary
After the nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, the public in some parts of Europe and the United States began to buy iodized salt to prevent nuclear radiation, and in some parts of China, the public also blindly snapped up iodized salt.
Due to the rumor that iodized salt can prevent nuclear radiation, the salt rush started from the coastal areas of China, and many supermarkets across the country also saw people rush to buy salt, leading to a shortage of salt in major supermarkets. Some people were unable to buy salt and turned to kimchi salt or even soy sauce to replace salt.
In fact, the iodine content in iodized salt is relatively low and does not prevent radioactive iodine. Also, iodine tablets have no effect on blocking other radioactive substances other than radioactive iodine. Taking iodized salt or iodine tablets in excessive quantities without taking into account the actual situation can be harmful to the body.
In the event of a nuclear and radiation emergency, it is possible for a person to ingest radioactive iodine and concentrate it in the thyroid gland, exposing this organ to larger doses. When a more serious nuclear contamination occurs, a certain amount of iodine tablets should be taken systematically for a certain period of time. The main component of iodine tablets is potassium iodide compound, which is a kind of stable iodine that can block the absorption of radioactive iodine by the human thyroid gland, so that the radioactive iodine can be quickly excreted from the body and achieve the effect of protecting the body tissues. However, iodine tablets can only block the absorption of radioactive iodine and have no effect on other radioactive substances.
Iodized salt is not the same as iodized tablets. The iodine content of iodized salt is relatively low and does not play a role in preventing radioactive iodine. Eating iodized salt without taking into account the actual situation and blindly in excess is harmful to the body.
In everyday life, everyone is exposed to natural radiation. The average annual dose of natural radiation received by each person is 2.4 mSv, which includes cosmic rays, terrestrial gamma rays, and radiation from air and food. Some human activities can also lead to radiation, such as wearing luminous watches, flying, smoking, X-ray examinations, etc. will make people absorb a certain amount of radiation. After long-term observation and investigation, these daily doses do not cause harm to humans.
The current radiation monitoring values of China’s environmental protection department and the National Nuclear Safety Administration show that the radiation environment level in China has not been affected by the nuclear power accident in Japan. At the same time, the National Nuclear Accident Response Coordination Committee has also indicated that the radioactive materials from Japanese nuclear power will not affect public health in China. Therefore, there is no need to take iodine tablets at this time based only on personal subjective assumptions or out of fear.
The nuclear contaminants will mainly settle to the south east of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, and the resulting nuclear contamination will not affect China.
According to the website of the China Meteorological Administration, the latest forecast results from the World Meteorological Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Regional Environmental Emergency Response Center in Beijing show that from 08:00 on March 17 to 08:00 on March 18, nuclear pollutants will mainly settle to the south of the east of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, and the resulting nuclear contamination will not affect China.
By the influence of cold air eastward into the sea, nuclear contamination diffusion material with the airflow to the south-east direction, spread to the Pacific region in the east of Japan, the next three days have no impact on China.
Whether an area is subject to nuclear contamination, it is possible to use radiation detection instruments to detect, the public need not panic.
Nuclear medicine diagnosis and treatment is not harmful to the human body
China is currently used for nuclear medicine diagnosis and treatment of radioactive drugs are approved by the national drug supervision department. The chemical amount contained in radioactive drugs is generally minute and will not cause allergic reactions. Although radiopharmaceuticals contain radionuclides, their radiation dose is not harmful to human body.
Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals generally emit beta rays, which have a short range in the body and only act on diseased tissues or target organs. Under the premise of reasonable use of drugs, their side effects are even smaller than those of radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery. In vivo diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals generally emit gamma rays, which have small biological effects in vivo and generally have a very short half-life. Under the premise of reasonable use of drugs, it is basically harmless to human body. Generally, the radiation dose received from a nuclear medicine examination is lower than that received from a chest X-ray, CT examination or coronary artery angiography.
Therefore, under the premise of reasonable clinical use and proper protection, it is safe for patients, their relatives, society and the environment.
How to protect against nuclear radiation in case of nuclear contamination
Small and large
When encountering nuclear radiation, it is important to shorten the exposure time as much as possible, stay away from the radiation source, and pay special attention to shielding. When entering or leaving a nuclear contaminated area, wear protective clothing and shower promptly to remove nuclear contamination.
In the event of a nuclear or radiological accident, especially when radioactive materials are released into the atmosphere, the general principle of protection is “both internal and external protection”, which includes two aspects.
Principles of protection against external exposure
1. shorten the exposure time as much as possible.
2. Keep away from the radioactive source as far as possible.
3. Pay attention to shielding, using lead plates, steel plates or walls to block or reduce the intensity of exposure.
Specific measures: When radioactive material is released into the atmosphere to form smoke and dust through, enter the building in time, close doors
Windows and ventilation systems, avoid doors and windows and other poorly shielded parts for concealment.
Principles of protection against internal exposure
Avoid ingestion, reduce absorption, increase excretion, and avoid staying in contaminated areas. Remove contamination and reduce the chance of contamination in the body of personnel.
Specific measures: If radioactive iodine is released from a nuclear accident, take stable iodine tablets as soon as possible under medical supervision. The recommended dosage is 100 mg of iodine for adults and should be reduced for children and infants, but should be used with caution for people with iodine allergy or history of thyroid disease.
Guidelines for keeping away from nuclear radiation
1. When entering an area heavily contaminated with radioactive materials, guard your five senses closely. For example, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief, towel, fabric, etc. to reduce the inhalation of radioactive materials.
2. wear hats, headscarves, glasses, raincoats, gloves and boots to help reduce radioactive contamination of the body surface.
3. taking special care not to consume contaminated water, food, etc.
4. If the accident is serious and residents need to evacuate the contaminated area, they should follow the orders of the relevant authorities and evacuate to a safe place in an organized and orderly manner. Those evacuated from the contaminated area should promptly replace contaminated clothing, shoes, hats, etc., and have them monitored and disposed of.
5. Personnel contaminated or suspected to be contaminated by radioactivity should be decontaminated, the best way is to take a shower.
Introduction of Zhang Chunyin, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College
Chunyin Zhang is a professor, chief physician, master of medicine, master’s degree supervisor, member of the Communist Party of China, the ninth batch of Sichuan academic and technical leader reserve candidate, the ninth batch of Sichuan Department of Health academic and technical leader reserve candidate, the Sichuan Medical Association Nuclear Medicine Branch youth member, the Chinese Medical Association Nuclear Medicine Branch of science experts and special members.
He graduated from Luzhou Medical College in 1994 and received his master’s degree in medicine in 2005, and was promoted to professor in 2009. He has been engaged in nuclear medicine, nuclear diagnosis, teaching and research. He specializes in the application of nuclear technology in the diagnosis and treatment of various clinical diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, autonomic functional thyroid adenoma, differentiated thyroid cancer, spinal cavernous disease, metastatic bone tumor, infiltrative proptosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hemangioma, scar tissue hyperplasia, etc.. He is especially good at thyroid disease treatment and SPECT and PET/CT imaging diagnosis. Since his work, he has completed tens of thousands of cases of nuclear therapy for thyroid diseases and tens of thousands of patients with nuclear medicine SPECT and PET/CT imaging diagnosis. His research interests include tumor PET-CT imaging and nuclear targeted therapy.
He has published more than 30 papers in national and provincial journals, presided over more than 10 scientific research projects, participated in more than 30 academic exchanges, won one invention patent, one second prize of Luzhou Science and Technology Progress Award, chief editor of “Self-care Knowledge of Thyroid Disease Patients”, deputy chief editor of “Thyroid Disease Nuclear Therapy Q&A”, and co-editor of “Radionuclide Therapy”.
He has been awarded “Advanced Individual in Target Management”, “Advanced Individual in Medical Ethics and Medical Style”, “Advanced Individual in Comprehensive Management of Social Security” and “Advanced Individual in Trade Union Activities” by the college and the hospital. He has been awarded as “Advanced Individual in Trade Union Activities”, “Excellent Doctor”, “Excellent Communist Party Member”. “Excellent correspondent”.