§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many of the potassium iodate tablets held to counter possible ionising radiation have been in stock for more than 10, five, two and one years, respectively;
(2) what is the shelf life of potassium iodate tablets.
§ Mr. WhitneyI shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many potassium iodate tablets would be required to prevent radioactive iodine collecting in the thyroid of five, 10 and 18-year-olds, respectively, at levels of radiation reported within five miles of Windscale in 1957 and within five, 10 and 20 miles of Chernobyl in 1986.
§ Mr. Hayhoe[pursuant to his reply, 23 May 1986, c. 385]: I am advised that there is no indication for taking potassium iodate tablets unless it is estimated that the radiation dose to the thyroid from exposure to radioactive iodine may reach 50 mSv or more and that the recommended dose of potassium iodate to anyone over four years old is 200 milligrams which is provided by two tablets.
I am also advised that the estimated dose to the thyroid for persons within five miles of the Windscale fire was always less than 50 mSv and that information is not available to estimate the radiation dose to the thyroid received by persons in the area surrounding Chernobyl.