Can consuming iodized salt prevent nuclear radiation? Jiangsu CDC just responded
On the afternoon of August 24, 2023, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan began discharging nuclear wastewater into the sea, and there have been instances of residents rushing to purchase iodized salt in some areas both domestically and internationally.
So, can we really prevent nuclear radiation by consuming iodized salt? The answer is negative! No!
Iodized salt cannot prevent nuclear radiation
As early as March 2011, when the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan leaked, there was a large-scale rush to purchase salt in some parts of China. At that time, the authoritative department refuted the rumor and answered, "Eating iodized salt cannot prevent the intake of radioactive iodine, and it is unscientific to apply iodine wine to the thyroid gland to prevent radiation damage.".
Taking stable iodine can prevent the deposition of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland, but it cannot prevent external radiation and is not a radiation antidote. Iodine is an essential trace element in the human body and one of the essential raw materials for synthesizing thyroid hormones. The iodine in nuclear wastewater mainly exists in the form of radioactive iodine. Among the radioactive isotopes of iodine, iodine 131 and iodine 125 are more toxic. The main form of iodine in iodized salt is potassium iodate, which is non radioactive iodine. The human thyroid gland is a sensitive organ to radiation from radioactive iodine, which increases the risk of cancer.
The mechanism by which iodine prevents radiation is to increase the saturation of iodine in the human thyroid gland by ingesting "stable iodine", avoiding the deposition of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland and thus avoiding the harm of radioactive iodine to the thyroid gland.
On January 17, 2023, the World Health Organization released the "Recommended Drug Reserve List for Radiation and Nuclear Emergencies", which states that "stable iodine" is used to prevent and reduce thyroid exposure to radioactive iodine. " The World Health Organization recommends a single dose of 100mg for adult "stable iodine" in the "Guidelines for Iodine Thyroid Block Planning and Response to Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies".
The average iodine content in the iodized salt consumed by residents in our province is 25mg/kg. Normal adults need to consume 4kg of iodized salt at once, which is 4kg, in order to achieve the WHO recommended "stable iodine" single intake dose of 100mg, which is far beyond the recommended daily salt intake in China; It's also impossible to consume 4 kilograms at once, it would be too much!
Meanwhile, excessive salt intake can increase the burden on the heart and kidneys, leading to diseases such as hypertension. Excessive iodine intake can also disrupt normal thyroid function. So, consuming iodized salt cannot prevent nuclear radiation. Daily consumption of iodized salt should be in moderation. It is recommended to buy and use iodized salt as needed, and there is no need to hoard a large amount of iodized salt.
Huai Salt's Safe Purchase with Adequate Management
Recently, due to the impact of Japan's nuclear contaminated water discharge incident, there has been a wave of salt rush buying in some areas of China. This morning, the reporter interviewed the China Salt Industry Association. The relevant person in charge of the association stated that China has sufficient salt reserves and stable production capacity, which can fully guarantee the supply of salt and the general public does not need to hoard salt.
Wang Xiaoqing, Executive Chairman of the China Salt Industry Association: The annual consumption of edible salt in China is basically maintained at around 12 million tons, and the production capacity of edible salt is 50 million tons. Moreover, China has established a relatively complete social salt reserve system consisting of government reserves and corporate social responsibility reserves. We have confidence and the ability to meet the salt needs of the people.
The reporter also learned from the China Salt Industry Association that in terms of salt production, China has strict national standards and professional monitoring institutions recognized by the state conduct daily inspection and testing of radioactive substances in salt.
At the same time, the State Administration of Market Supervision deployed all regions to strengthen salt price monitoring, strengthen analysis and early warning, establish a "direct train" mechanism with relevant Internet platforms, and timely grasp information on abnormal price fluctuations and clues to illegal acts. Intensify price supervision and law enforcement efforts, strictly investigate illegal behaviors such as hoarding, fabricating and disseminating information on price increases, and promptly disclose typical cases.
As the main channel for salt supply in the province, Su Salt Group also issued a statement stating that Huai Salt has sufficient supply, so consumers are advised to purchase with peace of mind and not to hoard. The vast majority of the "Huai salt" it produces is well salt, extracted from salt mines below 1000 meters above the surface.
