Iodine tablets for 400,000 homes

IODINE tablets are to be handed out in the new year to 400,000 homes in France, in a nuclear accident awareness campaign organised once every seven years.

The initiative, organised by French nuclear safety authority ASN, applies to residents in 500 French towns and villages located within a 10km radius of one of France's 19 nuclear power plants.

The 130g of potassium iodide, to be diluted in water, can help prevent thyroid cancer in the event of a radiation leak.

Those affected by the prevention campaign will receive a letter in January inviting them to collect their tablets from a pharmacy, as the previous batch from 2008 reaches its expiry date.

Information sessions will also be arranged to remind people what to do in the event of a nuclear accident: take the tablet, stay inside with doors and windows closed, take a shower, eat dry or tinned foods and await evacuation.