As of this month, the iodine tablets you received to protect you in the event of a nuclear disaster have expired. And that raises the question: are we still protected?
“Yes,” is the concise response from nuclear physician Marcel Janssen of the Radboud University Medical Center. “Iodine tablets whose expiration date has passed are still perfectly usable. But to ensure that they continue to work well for everyone, it is important that they are replaced.”
Since 2017, approximately three million people in the Netherlands – including hundreds of thousands of Brabant households – have a box of iodine tablets at home. Within a radius of 20 kilometers from a nuclear installation, this concerns all people up to and including 40 years of age. At slightly greater distances, from 20 to 100 kilometers, the iodine tablets are intended for all children up to the age of 18 and pregnant women.
There is no guarantee that expired tablets are still fully effective
Iodine pills may only be taken in the event of a nuclear disaster after government advice. They ensure that the thyroid gland becomes saturated with non-radioactive iodine, so that radioactive iodine does not have a chance to enter the body. Statistically, the increased risk of thyroid cancer mainly applies to people under the age of 40.
According to Janssen, the effect of the tablets remains largely present even after the expiry date, but becomes less predictable. “You know less exactly how much the thyroid gland is still blocked. This depends, among other things, on the conditions under which the box has been stored. Moisture and heat can affect its shelf life.”
However, a slightly less effective pill is still much better than no pill, says the nuclear medicine doctor. “The dose contains a considerable excess. So even if a pill is only 90 percent effective, it is still fully effective in practice.”
However, iodine pills do not provide complete protection in the event of a nuclear disaster. Janssen: “Other substances are also released. That is why you must limit exposure to radioactive radiation as much as possible. If radioactive particles fall into your environment in the open air, it is not wise to leave. It is better to stay indoors with closed windows and doors.”
Possible new iodine tablets in 2027
The government is now investigating whether the iodine tablets need to be replaced. The RIVM is looking at various scenarios for this. It is not known why this has not been done before.
“Partly based on this, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport will make a final decision this summer about providing new iodine tablets.” This is what a spokesperson told Omroep Brabant.
If that decision is positive, the intention is to distribute iodine tablets on a large scale again in 2027 to the same target groups as in 2017.
If you are still unsure: you can buy a box of iodine tablets at the drugstore for a few euros. “Hoarding is absolutely not necessary!” Janssen emphasizes.
