Does iodine protect against radiation?

Question

If so, what kind? I saw some at the store that said for external use only.

Answer 1

I think you're referring to Potassium Iodide. What it generally does is block radiactive isotopes from entering in via the thyroid. It is not the "cure-all" for radiation, but it is a preventative measure.

If one is subjected to high yield radiation, such as a thermonuclear device, the radiation levels will be so high that it will not matter. The body will die from radiation poisoning. It is a terrible, terrible thing. For lower yield devices, Potassium Iodide does provide a measure of protection.

Answer 2

Certain radiation sources (atomic bombs, nuclear power plant accidents, etc) release a radioactive form of iodine. If it gets into your body, it will be taken up by the thyroid gland (which uses iodine to produce thyroid hormone). The radioactivity concentrated in the thyroid puts the victim at risk of thyroid cancer.
If you prophylacticly ingest large amounts of non-radioactive iodine (you can purchase iodine tablets; DO NOT drink the iodine liquid you saw at the store!), the thyroid will be saturated by the time you are exposed to the radioactive stuff, so none of the deadly isotope will be taken up.
Let's hope you never need to take the stuff, but if you are either downwind from a nuclear power plant, or near ground zero of a high-profile target that might attract an attack by Bin Laden's followers, you might want to invest in some iodine tablets.

Answer 3

This subject only arrizes as a result of democratic fear mongering. X-rays do not cause cancer. They are infact used to cure cancer. Radiatio kills rapidly dividing cancer cells fater than normal cells. Raidation poisioning is the killling of intestinal cells which divide quickly. Only radiation from nuclear bombs will do this. Iodine is in all salt products . Iodine takes up receptor sites in the thyroid so when abnormal iodine comes by, it will not have a site to connect to. This is a hold over from ww2. No need to take iodine supplements.

Answer 4

It will only keep your thyroid gland from ingesting more radiation!
Additionally, KI only protects the thyroid (which is the most sensitive part of your body to non-lethal radiation exposure) and not your whole body.

Potassium Iodide (KI) is approved by the FDA for this purpose, but is not widely available to the general public. While it is an over-the-counter drug, it's hard to get ahold of.

Answer 5

Iodide. I think it prevents absorption of certain radioactive materials by the thyroid. I think there was a scare a while back and people were self medicating themselves. a lot of people got sick.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp

Answer 6

You may be thinking that becasue people use it with baby oil to lay out in the sun, but they use the iodine becasue it helps color the skin in the sun.

Answer 7

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/radiation.htm

Answer 8

no

Answer 9

no