What Is KI?
KI (the chemical name for the drug “potassium
iodide”) is a non-prescription iodine pill. Iodine is
an element that is found in nature and is also an
important part of your diet. Because iodine is so
important for your health, it is added to table salt.
However, the iodine in the KI pill is much stronger
than the iodine in table salt. Table salt cannot be
used as a replacement for KI.
How Does KI Work?
In the unlikely event of a serious accident at a
nuclear power plant, radioactive iodine could be
released into the air. Like regular iodine, radioactive
iodine can be stored in your thyroid gland. This can
cause thyroid cancer or other thyroid problems over
time. Children are most at risk of thyroid injury from
exposure to radioactive iodine. KI protects your
thyroid by filling it up with a safe form of iodine so
that it can’t take in radioactive iodine.
It is important for you to know that KI does not protect your whole body from radioactive material. KI only protects your thyroid gland.
How Can I Get KI?
Take the voucher to one of the participating
pharmacies listed there. The pharmacy will provide
you with the amount of KI that you need. Place
the KI in a safe, dry location and keep it in its foil
packet. You should keep it on hand as part of your
emergency supply kit. Be sure to get your KI now.
You will not be able to get it from the pharmacy
during a nuclear power plant emergency.
When Should I Take KI?
Take KI only if a “General Emergency” has been
declared at the nuclear power plant near you.
If the emergency sirens sound for three minutes
or more, tune to your local radio or television
station. Follow the instructions given by emergency
officials. You may be instructed to shelter-in-place
or evacuate. You should only take KI if the radio or
TV announcements say that the power plant has
declared a “General Emergency”, the most serious
type of plant emergency.
If you are told to evacuate and don’t have your KI readily available, don’t waste time searching for it. Evacuating or sheltering-in-place is the best way to protect yourself from harm due to radiation.
How Much KI Should I Take?
One dose protects the thyroid for 24 hours. You
should be safely evacuated within the 24 hour time
period
Use The Information Listed Below To Take The Correct Amount For One Dose.
• Adults over 18 years of any weight including
pregnant or breastfeeding women should take
two 65 mg tablets.
• Children 12 years to 18 years who weigh at least
150 pounds should take two 65 mg tablets.
• Children 12 to 18 years who weigh less than 150
pounds should take one 65 mg tablet.
• Children 3 years to 12 years should take one 65
mg tablet.
• Children 1 month to 3 years should take 1/2 of
a 65 mg tablet, crushed into liquid. (Instructions
for crushing and mixing will be provided by the
pharmacy.)
• Babies at birth to 1 month should be given 1/4 of
a 65 mg tablet, crushed into liquid. (Instructions
for crushing and mixing will be provided by the
pharmacy.)
What Side Effects Could I Have From Taking KI?
Side effects are unlikely when KI is used at the
recommended dose and for a short time. Minor
side effects can include an upset stomach, skin
rash or a metallic taste. An allergic reaction can
have more serious symptoms like fever, joint pain,
swelling of the face or body or trouble breathing.
Severe shortness of breath requires immediate
medical attention!
Who Should Not Take KI?
You should not take KI if:
• You are allergic to iodine. A shellfish allergy may
not mean that you are allergic to iodine. Talk to
your physician or allergist if you have a shellfish
allergy.
• You have dermatitis herpetiformus (DH) or
hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis
syndrome (HUVS), very rare skin conditions.
Check with your doctor if:
• You already have a thyroid condition.
• You are unsure whether or not to take KI.
How Does This Program Apply To Businesses?
Businesses can obtain KI for their employees,
clients, or patients. Businesses with more than 400
employees/clients/patients should call or e-mail
the Michigan Department of Health and Human
Services (MDHHS) to arrange for delivery of KI. If
a business chooses to participate in the program,
it is responsible for having a dispensing plan that
complies with these instructions. If your business
chooses not to participate, you can provide a copy
of this voucher to your employees so that they can
obtain their personal supply of KI.
For more information go to the MDHHS website, www.michigan.gov/ki, call MDHHS at (517) 335-8150 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or send an e-mail to mdhhs-ki@michigan.gov.
Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services Potassium Iodide (KI) Voucher
To get KI, please print and fill out the voucher, located here, and take
it to one of the pharmacies listed at the bottom of the voucher.
You must live or work within 10 miles of the
Palisades plant, be 18 years or older, and provide
government-issued photo ID.
READ THIS INFORMATION BEFORE SIGNING THE VOUCHER. SIGNING THE FORM MEANS THAT YOU AGREE TO AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
I understand that:
• KI is an over-the-counter, non-prescription drug.
• KI is to be taken only when a General Emergency has been declared at the Palisades power plant.
• KI is NOT a substitute for evacuation or sheltering-in-place. I will follow the instructions of emergency officials.
• KI only protects the thyroid gland from
radioactive iodine. It does not protect the rest of
the body. In a nuclear power plant emergency,
there could be health risks from other forms of
radiation.
• Although taking KI is usually safe, it can
cause problems in people who have thyroid
disease or are allergic to iodine. People
who have dermatitis herpetiformus or
hypocomplementemic urticaria vasculitis (HUVS),
two very rare skin diseases, should not take KI
without first talking to their doctor.
I agree that:
• I will follow all instructions on how to use potassium iodide (KI).
• I will hold the pharmacy harmless from all liability, claims, suits or actions related to the use, delivery, labeling, and packaging of KI.
Additional Information For Businesses
• I own or represent the business/institutions
named on the voucher.
• This business/institution will provide information
on dosing and medical contraindications to all
employees/clients prior to distributing KI. This
information is provided in each box of KI and on
the MDHHS website at www.michigan.gov/ki.
This KI program is run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. If I have questions I can call (517) 335-8150 or send an e-mail to mdhhs-ki@michigan.gov for more information.