Calvert County Health Department

Information on Potassium Iodide for Calvert Residents

If you live or work within 10 miles of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant you are eligible to receive Potassium Iodine (KI) tablets. In 2002, Calvert County Health Department (CCHD) distributed KI tablets which had an expiration date of March 2007. This expiration date was extended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to March 2009. In May 2008, CCHD again distributed KI to replace expiring tablets. Please check the expiration date on the tablets you currently have on hand. If the expiration date is March 2007, they need to be replaced now.

Head of household or representatives from a business may come to the Health Department any Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. to replace expiring tablets. We are encouraging family-run daycares, businesses and private residents to have KI on hand if you reside within the 10 mile “protective zone.”

KI will only protect the thyroid gland from damage caused by radioactive iodine that may be released from the plant during a radioactive emergency. Because its protective effect is limited to the thyroid gland, taking KI is not a substitute for other protective actions such as evacuation or taking shelter, which protect the entire body. Should a radioactive emergency occur, official recommendations to the public for protective actions, including taking KI, will be broadcast by the media.

If you live south of Prince Frederick you probably reside within the 10 mile protective zone.

If you have any questions please call the CCHD at 410-535-5400, extension 334.