5th District Supervisor | Thomas W. Wilson | Community safety

SACRAMENTO-The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) announced today that it would be providing potassium iodide (KI) tablets to all residents and workers in the Emergency Planning Zones around the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in Southern California and the Diablo Canyon Power Plant along the central coast.

"I'm extremely pleased with the cooperation we have received from the California Department of Health Services and the emergency management and health officials in San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Orange Counties," said OES Director Dallas Jones. "Their dedication and leadership was instrumental in our ability to finalize a plan that will get potassium iodide to those workers and residents that would be most impacted in the event of an unlikely incident at either plant."

In late February, residents and businesses in the Emergency Planning Zones around each plant will receive an information packet with facts about potassium iodide (KI) and details on how to order at no cost two tablets per person in the household. OES will mail the pills to those who have submitted a request.

In addition to the pre-distribution of potassium iodide, California will also maintain adequate supplies of potassium iodide near both nuclear power plants for distribution following an incident releasing radioactive iodine at either plant.

"Despite the availability of potassium iodide, evacuation or sheltering-in-place are still the most effective means of protecting yourself during a nuclear power plant emergency," said Jones. "That is why it is imperative to listen to and heed the guidance of public health and emergency management officials following an emergency."

Potassium iodide is a thyroid-blocking medication that can be used during an emergency at a nuclear power plant. It only protects against the absorption of radioactive iodine into the thyroid and is an effective supplement to evacuation and sheltering.

Concerned citizens living outside the Emergency Planning Zone, who spend most of their time within the zone, can receive information on potassium iodide by visiting the OES website at www.oes.ca.gov. Individuals can readily purchase potassium iodide from FDA-approved vendors on the Internet without a doctor's prescription.

For more information about the potassium iodide program, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services has established a pre-recorded information line. Information will be available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English or Spanish, by calling 1-800-550-5234. The hearing impaired TDD/TTY line is 1-800-550-5281, beginning February 15.