Politics & Government
Board of Health Sets Up Regional Distribution Stations for Potassium Iodide Pills
County board eyes potassium iodide pill distribution in wake of Japan accidents, Oyster Creek pills expiring next year.
It will get easier to get those potassium iodide pills used in the event of a nuclear accident for those living within 10 miles of the nation’s oldest operating nuclear plant – Oyster Creek in Lacey Township.
The Ocean County Board of Health agreed Wednesday to set up regional distribution points for the pills, not only because of concerns over accidents at some Japanese nuclear plants in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake, but because pills handed out in a massive distribution here are set to expire next year.
Last month the county Health Department announced the pills were still available at its headquarters in Toms River. The pills can reduce the impact of radiation on the thyroid, but are only to be used in the case of a general emergency declared by state health and emergency management officials.
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Board of Health member Henry Mancini said some Stafford Township residents are concerned about having to drive to Toms River to get the pills.
Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye said the pills could also be made available at the county’s facility on Haywood Road in Manahawkin.
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Anthony DePaolo, a board member from Berkeley, said with 30,000 senior citizens living there a clinic should be held there, too.
"The pills are always available,’’ Regenye explained. With some of those distributed earlier expiring next year, he said an effort will be made to inform the public about the need to return them and get new pills.
"There are a lot of side effects with that medication. Be careful with that stuff,’’ cautioned Sen. Robert Singer, who is a member of the board.
"It’s important to get the information out,’’ Mancini said.
Regenye said there is a fact sheet about potassium iodide on the Health Department website, www.ochd.org, including warnings to contact primary care physicians about side effects.
Communities within 10 miles of the Oyster Creek plant, which has been operating since 1969, include Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley, Harvey Cedars, Island Heights, Lacey, Long Beach, Pine Beach, Ocean Township, Ocean Gate, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom. South Toms River, Stafford, Surf City and Toms River.
For more on local reactions to the plant in the wake of the Japan disaster, read .
