Potassium iodide tablets SELL OUT in US over fears of nuclear war with Russia with $14 packets now selling for $149 on eBay
- Americans are panic-buying potassium iodide tablets over fears of a possible nuclear war with Russia
- The pills counteract the effects of radiation poisoning, but taking too many can be extremely dangerous
- Packs that normally sell for around $14 are now on eBay for $150 - with the manufacturer's website listing them as out of stock
- The increase comes despite warnings from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that taking too many of the anti-radiation pills can be deadly
- Russia's invasion of Ukaraine has stoked fears of a radioactive fallout following an attack on one of Ukraine's nuclear plants, or even from nuclear bomb
- CNN has reported that manufacturers of potassium iodid in the US have recorded rapidly depleted inventories recently in light of Russia's invasion
- Meanwhile, prices for tablets have been gauged to meet the growing demand
- The agency added that taking more than recommended does not offer more protection and can actually cause severe illness or death
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has continued to stoke fears of a radioactive fallout following an attack on one of Ukraine's nuclear plants, or even from a nuclear bomb.
That has prompted a surge in demand for the pills, which can counteract the effects of radiation poisoning. Manufacturer IOSAT is sold-out of $14 packs of the pills on its website - with identical tablets now for sale for $149 on eBay.
The last potassium iodine panic took place in the US in 2011, in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Whole Foods stores were forced to erect signs warning people that taking too many of the pills was dangerous.
In light of the surge in demand for potassium iodide pills, which in itself and in small doses is not harmful, the CDC is now warning that taking too many of the tablets could be fatal.
Radioactive iodide is known to harm the thyroid - an endocrine gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate the body.
Once it's released into the atmosphere, it can be breathed into the lungs and contaminate local water, soil, plants and animals, according to the CDC.
- These potassium iodide pills normally sell for around $14 - but are now on sale for 10 times more on eBay over growing fears of a nuclear war with Russia, despite CDC warnings that they can be dangerous
- A Whole Foods in California issued a warning about taking too much potassium iodine in the wake of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant
- Some preppers are bragging about having stocked up on the Potassium Iodine tablets before the current rush
- Russia's invasion of Ukaraine has continued to stoke fears of a radioactive fallout following an attack on one of Ukraine's nuclear plants, or even from a nuclear bomb
But when its used as directed, potassium iodide can quickly saturate the thyroid, successfully preventing it from absorbing radioactive iodine.
CNN has reported that manufacturers of potassium iodide in the US have recorded rapidly depleted inventories recently in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine beginning back on February 24.
Meanwhile, prices for tablets have been gouged to meet the growing demand.
On eBay Monday, four boxes of Thyrosafe potassium iodide tablets were listed for $149.50.
- A general view shows the New Safe Confinement structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine 2018
- Meanwhile, prices for tablets have been gauged to meet the growing demand on eBay, pictured
In comparison to normal prices, the 14-pack box of the IOSAT tablets, made by Anbex, still sell for $13.99 on the manufacturer's website, according to CNN.
In light of the increased potassium iodide pill usage, the CDC has warned that a single dose protects the thyroid gland for just 24 hours, with anything more than one dose potentially doing more harm than good.
The agency added that taking more than recommended does not offer more protection and can actually cause severe illness or death.
The CDC also noted that the tablets also only work best for certain age groups.
Pills can stave off radiation poisoning but aren't a silver bullet
Potassium iodide can stave off radiation poisoning by stopping it from being absorbed in the thyroid gland - the part of the human body most sensitive to radiation.The substance - which has the chemical formula KI - is a stable salt required by the body to make thyroid hormones.
We get most of the potassium iodide we require from our diets, but the substance can be taken in the event of exposure to radiation such as that released following a nuclear attack.
It blocks unstable iodine - radiation - from entering a person's thyroid gland and causing serious injury.
Potassium iodide doesn't protect other parts of the body from radiation, with any more than one dose a day deemed dangerous by the CDC.
But it is officially-recognized as a treatment by the US government - and Americans would be advised to take it in the wake of a nuclear attack or radiation spill.
Source: CDC.gov
Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-iodide-tablets-fears-nuclear-war-Russia.html
