| Description | Inside, sealed in clear plastic, there is the orange cardboard box containing:
"Potassium Iodate Tablets BP 85mg Contents: 6 tablets For emergency use only in the event of a nuclear accident" on the front together with "Department of Health and Children An Roinn Sláinte agus Leanaí Dublin 2" and its logo.
On the back, it reports the details and directions too:
"For EMERGENCY use only. In the absence of other directions for use, the following are the single dose recommendations for iodine prophylaxis following a nuclear accident: Age Group Up to one month: 21.25mg (12.5mg) Quarter Tablet 1 month to 3 years: 42.5mg (25mg) Half Tablet 3 years to 12 years: 85mg (50mg) One Tablet Adults: 170mg (100mg) Two Tablets
The tablets should be taken with plenty of water.
WARNING: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Keep out of reach of children. Not to be taken until advised to do so.
Store in original sealed carton in a cool dry place."
The packaging, made of white paper with internal cushioned protective plastic, bears black and red ink writings. On the front, from top left to right, it reads:
"If undelivered please return to: P.O. Box 5537, Dublin 2. Rostas loctha L Baile Átha Cliath CEADÚNAS 5241 WARNING: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN POTASSIUM IODATE TABLETS THIS ENVELOPE CONTAINS A MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND SHOULD ONLY BE OPENED BY AN ADULT. 01070506 159" followed by the address, and "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CHILDREN AN ROINN SLÁINTE AGUS LEANAI National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents http://www.doh.ie Lo Call: 1890 44 33 22" An additional handwritten "Kirker" appears in pencil in the top right corner.
The back instead reports:
For further information on the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents please refer to the information leaflet on National Planning for Nuclear Emergencies or:
The Department of Public Enterprise website http://www.dpe.ie
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland website http://www.rpii.ie
Your local library
Your local Citizens Information Office
ENFO, 17 St. Andrew's Street, Dublin 2. Lo Call: 1890 20 01 91
DATAQUICK® MAILERS Patent No. IP 858937/ BP 2272862/BP 2297712 B. D.C. KAVANAGH LTD TEL: (01) 4544299
Potassium Iodate is used as a thyroid blocking agent during a nuclear emergency. It helps prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing harmful radioactive iodine released into the environment. During 2002, iodine tablets, intended to be taken in the event of a major nuclear accident that might result in the release of radio-active iodine, were issued to each household. The batch expired in 2005, and the Deparment decided to Discontinue the Future Distribution of Iodine Tablets in 2008. |