PA Health Department distributing free potassium iodide tablets as routine precaution

The PA Department of Health will offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets on Thursday, Sept. 15, to Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10 miles of the state’s four active nuclear power plants as part of routine preventive efforts in case of future emergencies.
Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said, “It’s important to remember potassium iodide should only be taken when instructed to do so by state health officials or the governor, and it is not a replacement for evacuation in the case of a radiological emergency at one of Pennsylvania’s four active nuclear facilities.”
The facilities are Beaver Valley Power Station; Limerick Generating Station; Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station; and Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. The tablets are available by visiting a distribution center on Sept. 15, calling the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visiting a county and municipal health department or state health center.

Distribution Centers for those living or working within 10 miles of the Limerick Generating Station will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 15, at Keystone Steam Fire Company, 240 N. Walnut St. Boyertown; from 1 to 7 p.m. Sept. 15, at Chester Co. Department of Health: Kimberton Fire Company Banquet Hall, 2276 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15, at Montgomery Co. Department of Health, Pottstown Health Center, 364 King St., Pottstown.
Information sheets explaining how many KI tablets should be taken, when to take the tablets, and how to store them are provided with the packages. Public health nurses can answer questions about the process over the phone as well.
Additional information on potassium iodide (KI) tablets and nuclear power plant safety can be found on the Department of Health’s website at health.pa.gov or on social media.

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