Professor John Robertson OBA

From the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, three days ago:

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is coordinating the statewide distribution of free potassium iodide (KI) tablets on August 14 for all Pennsylvanians who live, work, or study within 10 miles of the four active nuclear power plants in the Commonwealth.

The KI tablet distribution events are part of emergency preparedness planning and are only to be used in the unlikely event of a radiological release from a nuclear power plant.

“The distribution of the KI tablets, which reduce the risk of thyroid cancer from exposure to radioactive iodine, is done as a precautionary measure associated with emergency preparedness planning,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “The tablets are only to be used when directed by emergency response officials. The Department encourages anyone with expired tablets to replace them with new ones that can be easily obtained from any of the pickup locations on August 14.”

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to pick up free potassium iodide (KI) tablets during the statewide distribution event on August 14 at the following times and locations. Printed instructions, including when to take KI, proper dosage, and storage guidance, will be provided during pickup.

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/newsroom/doh-to-distribute-free-ki-tablets-to-residents-near-nuclear-powe

They did the same thing last year.

10 miles?

The towns of Millport, Fairlie and West Kilbride are only 4 miles from the Hunterston nuclear site. Largs is only 6 miles away and with the first two, on the prevailing wind path (SW). There has never been an iodine tablet issue in the UK.

Is there something Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health knows that we don’t?

Maybe thyroid cancer is too rare here to worry about?

Quite the reverse. See:

Potentially fatal hypothyroidism far more common in Scotland, on the prevailing sea currents from Sellafield than in England, especially London

Maybe thyroid cancers are not connected to the nuclear power stations?

Quite the reverse. See:

Thyroid cancer cases double in the decades after nuclear power comes to Scotland

Maybe, regardless of Pennsylvania, there’s still not enough evidence to justify the cost of the iodine issue and thus Scottish Labour’s plans for new nuclear are not crazy?

Nope. See:

Latest – Scottish Labour policy challenged as new research reviewing more than 2 000 studies finds increased risk of thyroid cancer for those living near nuclear power plants