Radiation fears drive up iodine demand locally

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DAYTON — Many area pharmacies and health food stores are sold out of pills that provide protection from radiation amid fears of exposure from Japan’s nuclear crisis, but experts say there is no current radiation threat to Dayton and no value to people here taking potassium iodide.

“For people in Dayton it’s an absolute waste of money,” said Dr. Glen Solomon, professor and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Potassium iodide protects the thyroid after radiation exposure.

The Medicine Shoppe in Beavercreek has received requests this week for potassium iodide from both doctors and customers because of the store’s proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, according to pharmacist Ryan Beauchamp. “With the military installation here we have a lot of families that travel over to Japan.”

DaytonDailyNews.com