On Sept. 27, Health Departments in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba and Iredell counties will distribute potassium iodide (KI) to residents living within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of the McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Stations.
KI is an over-the-counter medication that can protect the thyroid gland if a person is exposed to radioactive iodine released during an emergency at a nuclear power plant. If taken within the appropriate time and at the proper dose, KI blocks the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine and reduces the risk of thyroid cancer.
Residents living in the 10-mile EPZ for McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Stations should plan to pick up the KI pills from the Health Department in their county at the locations listed below.
All distribution locations will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Media availability will be from 10 a.m.-11a.m. at the North Mecklenburg High School distribution site.
Distribution locations:
Mecklenburg County-
North Mecklenburg High School, 11201 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville
Southwest Middle School, 13624 Steele Creek Rd., Charlotte
www.meckhealth.org
Gaston County-
Forestview High School, 5545 Union Rd., Gastonia
Pinewood Elementary School, 1925 North Main St., Mt. Holly
www.gastonpublichealth.org
Lincoln County-
East Lincoln Community Center, 8160 Optimist Club Rd., Denver
www.lincolncounty.org
Catawba County-
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire and Rescue, 4011 Slanting Bridge Rd., Sherrills Ford
www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth/
Iredell County-
Woodland Heights Elementary School, 288 Forest Lake Blvd., Mooresville
Pine Lake Preparatory, 1639 Mecklenburg Hwy., Mooresville (off Hwy. 115, south of the Mt. Mourne Volunteer Fire Department) http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/Departments/Health/EmP/radiation.aspx
KI should be kept in a safe, accessible location and should only be taken when instructed by emergency officials in the event of a nuclear power plant emergency. The protective effects of KI only last for several hours. Expired KI tablets can be disposed of by crushing and discarding with the household garbage.
Residents are reminded that, following this special distribution event, all of the counties participating have KI available, at no charge, through their local health department. You can contact your local health department or visit its website for more information on these locations.