Emergency Preparedness for Nuclear Incidents

Radiation incidents may be unintentional, as in nuclear power plant accidents, or intentional, as in terrorist attacks that damage nuclear power plants or explode "dirty bombs" or nuclear weapons.

Although these situations have the potential for widespread contamination and population exposure, nuclear power plants in the United States are built to withstand severe accidents and prevent the escape of radionuclides that could threaten public health. Nuclear power plant design features ensure that in the worst-case situations there will be a delay (usually days) before radionuclides can escape to the environment in amounts that would be of a public health significance.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) require and regularly evaluate emergency preparedness at and around nuclear power plants. Availability of potassium iodide for administration in the event radioiodine is released is an important component of such preparedness programs. Implementation of a potassium iodide distribution plan provides protection against thyroid cancer from radioiodine exposure.

Learn about the potassium iodide distribution plan in your area.