KI tablets available to those who live and work near nuclear generating stations

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is reminding all residents and businesses located within 10 kilometres of the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations to ensure they have a supply of potassium iodide (KI) pills readily available.

KI pills are a part of nuclear emergency preparedness. In the highly unlikely event of a radioactive iodine release, KI pills help protect the thyroid gland by blocking the uptake of radioactive iodine, reducing the risk of thyroid cancer. This protection is especially important for newborns, infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, who are most vulnerable to the effects of radioactive iodine.

“Preparedness is a shared responsibility,” said Anthony Di Pietro, Director, Health Protection with Durham Region Health Department. “We encourage everyone living or working near the nuclear generating stations to ensure they have KI pills on hand. Individuals residing within 50 kilometres of these facilities are also eligible to receive free KI pills.”

KI pills are available at select local pharmacies and can also be ordered online through preparetobesafe.ca. The Health Department continues to work with community partners to ensure that residents have access to the pills and are aware of their availability. Educational resources including videos and multilingual materials are available to help residents understand the importance and proper use of KI pills.

Residents are reminded that KI pills should only be taken when instructed to do so by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health during a nuclear emergency.

A limited supply of KI pills is available free of charge at some local pharmacies. Durham Region Health Department works in partnership with the following pharmacies to help with local distribution:

• Bay Ridges Pharmacy, 1794 Liverpool Rd., Pickering
• Pickering Medical Pharmacy, 1885 Glenanna Rd., Pickering
• Liverpool Pharmacy, 725 Krosno Blvd., Pickering
• Global Drug Mart Remedy’s Rx, 130 Waverly Rd., Bowmanville
• Courtice Pharmasave, 2727 Courtice Rd., Courtice

For more information or to order a free supply of KI pills online visit preparetobesafe.ca or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.