Since the start of the war in Ukraine and threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belgians have decided to collect iodine tablets from pharmacies. These reduce the risk of thyroid cancer in the event of irradiation. However, according to several specialists, the current situation is not worrying for those who are on Belgian territory. A rush to pharmacies is therefore unfounded. Explanations.
This Monday, nearly 30,000 Belgians collected free iodine tablets from the pharmacy according to figures provided by the Belgian Pharmacy Association (APB).
A few days ago, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine and seized the Ukrainian Chernobyl power plant, site of the worst nuclear accident in history in 1986. This passage under Russian control seems to have aroused interest growing number of Belgians for iodine tablets. The rush has escalated further since Sunday, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was putting Russia’s nuclear “deterrent force” on alert.
Via the orange Alert us button, Adrien wonders if it would not be useful to obtain these tablets. “Basically, I’m not someone super worried regarding the news but I have the impression that it’s taking a dramatic turn. Putin is busy losing his mind and doing whatever This nuclear threat makes me react and I tell myself that we are not immune to a catastrophe”he confides.
For me, it’s more of a precaution
Before adding: “I know there are these iodine tablets for protection in the event that there is a nuclear problem. I am afraid that there will be a rush on the capsules and that, when the time comes, if the we really need it, we can’t find it anymore. So I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be useful to go and get a box or two from the pharmacy so that they are available just in case”.
A feeling shared by Vanessa who has already gone to the pharmacy to try to find iodine tablets. “I went to the local pharmacy to see if there were any iodine tablets because my roommates were starting to worry (…) Since yesterday, I have not been comfortable. For me, it’s more of a precaution. When there were the alerts in Fukushima, I remember that the government distributed its iodine tablets.” she explains.
Pills available for free
Since spring 2018, Belgians have been able to obtain iodine tablets free of charge from pharmacies. These pills should be taken preventively in the event of a nuclear disaster, if radioactive iodine is released, in order to prevent thyroid cancer. The tablets are distributed in a package containing 10 pills, which is enough for a four-person household.
Since 2018, nearly 710,000 boxes have been sold through pharmacies. According to the crisis unit, the federal stock still amounts to more than 1.5 million boxes to which are added another 700,000 units in the various barracks of civil protection. So there is still stock.
Faced with this, we wondered regarding the motivations of this rush. Is it justified? The experts we interviewed are unanimous: having iodine tablets is a good reflex. But currently, the situation in Ukraine does not present a danger for those who are on Belgian territory.
Louise Liénard, spokesperson for the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control, wants to be reassuring. “The current situation does not represent any danger for Belgian citizens. It is not necessary to obtain iodine tablets”, she says. The spokesperson also insists on the risks that taking iodine without an outside opinion can present. “It is formally discouraged because it can have negative consequences on health”.
Their use is very framed
The spokesperson specifies, however, that having preventive iodine tablets is always a good reflex. A reflection shared by Professor François Jamar, Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc. “Taking advantage of this alert to get what has been waiting for you in pharmacies for 3 or 4 years is a good idea. You might as well have some available. do it because there is war in Ukraine. This is not a decisive reason in my opinion”, he enlightens.
The Professor reminds that these pellets must be taken only when the authorities give the order. In concrete terms, two situations can justify taking these tablets, as Pr François Jamar explains to us:
- In case the country is hit by nuclear bombs. “But in this case, the damage that will be done will be much greater than the risk of thyroid cancer. It’s worth taking iodine capsules as long as you don’t have to deal with other health problems like burns, fractures, etc.underlines Prof. François Jamar.
- If there are bombardments in neighboring countries and if radioactive clouds arrive in Belgium
In concrete terms, what are iodine tablets used for?
Iodine tablets are useful in the event of a nuclear accident. During a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine can be released. This radioactive iodine can then find its way into the body through the respiratory tract, through the skin or through the food we eat.
In our body, it is the thyroid gland, located in the lower and anterior part of the neck, which stores iodine until it is saturated. Taking iodine tablets at the right time ensures that the thyroid gland is saturated with iodine. From this moment, the body no longer ingests radioactive iodine.
“Radioactive iodine concentrates specifically in the thyroid and may, following a few years, lead to an increased risk of thyroid cancer”explains Professor François Jamar.
Who can take these iodine tablets?
As the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control reminds us on its website, pregnant and breastfeeding women and children are particularly exposed to this risk. People over 40 and people with an allergy/hypersensitivity to iodine or heart disease are invited to consult their doctor or specialist regarding the possible use of iodine tablets, specifies the Agency. .
24 hours before the exhibition and maximum 4 to 6 hours following the exhibition
When to take these tablets?
As our interlocutors reminded, the taking of these tablets must be supervised. These capsules should not be taken on your own initiative. “Under no circumstances should they be taken preventively because planes are circulating or because missiles are being sent right and left. It’s really on the instructions of the authorities”, insists Professor François Jamar. Before adding: “You have to keep in mind that it is a very effective prevention if it is applied between 24 hours before exposure and a maximum of 4 to 6 hours following exposure. So taking it 5 days in advance is not useful. .Taking it 5 days later is no longer useful either.”
How long are iodine pills valid?
Nicolas Echement, spokesman for the Belgian Pharmaceutical Association, explains that the tablets have at least a 10-year validity period. Those that were recovered in 2018 are therefore still valid. It is advisable to keep them in a dry place, away from humidity and light, such as a medicine cabinet. Do not take them out of their packaging. Note that the packaging only specifies the production date and not the expiry date.
