Switzerland Dispenses Millions Of Iodine Tablets To Combat Radiation

In the midst of an increasingly unstable world, the Swiss government just mailed millions of iodine tablets to its citizens. Officials undertake this project once a decade as the pills have a 10-year life span.

Authorities dispense the tablets as part of the nation’s preparation for a possible disaster at one of its three nuclear power plants. Every citizen within 50 kilometers of one of the facilities — or about 4 million Swiss — will receive a package.

The total is lower than a decade ago due to the plant in Muhleberg being decommissioned. People receive surplus pills for the possibility that there may be someone who needs one that did not receive them.

Schools and businesses will be supplied with iodine tablets next year. 

In the package, along with the tablets, is a message from the Swiss government. “Iodine tablets, to be taken at the request of the authorities in the event of radioactive fallout.”

Part of the expense of the program is borne by nuclear power plant operators. The estimated cost for purchasing 12 million packages of iodine tablets is 34 million francs.

According to Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health, the iodine tablets are intended to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer caused by radiation. They are effective mainly for those under 45 years old and may protect small children down to two months of age.

Officials intend to recycle the expired pills and recover the iodine they contain. The public is cautioned not to take the tablets unless instructed to do so by health authorities in an emergency.

Aside from the distribution to people living in a 50-kilometer radius of nuclear facilities, there are also stashes of the tablets being accumulated in towns and cities. These stocks are also designated for emergency use only.

Iodine tablets are intended to prevent the thyroid gland’s absorption of radioactive iodine that is inhaled or ingested. This may lead to thyroid cancer due to radiation exposure.

This program will apparently be repeated every ten years to replenish outdated supplies. The nation currently has no intentions to mothball its three remaining nuclear facilities as long as they are functional.

A recent survey showed 56% of the Swiss public wants new nuclear plants commissioned. Meanwhile, only 37% of respondents supported the Green Party’s demand that nuclear power be phased out by 2037.