Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) Health Commissioner Ron Graham announces plans for the distribution of potassium iodide (KI) to residents living or working within 10 miles of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant.

“KI is not a substitute for emergency procedures, such as evacuation and in-place sheltering during a nuclear emergency,” Mr. Graham said. “It is, however, one more protective measure we can provide to help safeguard Lake County residents.” Although KI will be available at care centers that would open as a result of a release from the power plant, it must be taken as soon as public health officials tell you to do so in order to be effective.

Potassium iodide is a non-prescription medication that if taken within a specific time frame, can protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine, one of the contaminants that could be released in a nuclear accident or similar event. Exposure to radioactive iodine can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.

KI tablets can be picked up at the following pharmacies starting January 14, 2015 through February 16, 2015 during regular pharmacy hours of operation:

Scheduled KI distribution locations:

CVS Pharmacy 9040 Mentor Ave.
Mentor, Ohio 44060 440-255-9159

Giant Eagle Pharmacy 6079 Andrews Rd.
Mentor on the Lake, Ohio 44060 440-306-0011

Great Lakes Pharmacy 9500 Mentor Ave.
Mentor, Ohio 44060 440-352-2500

K-Mart Pharmacy 9200 Mentor Ave.
Mentor Ave. 440-974-7314

Marc’s Pharmacy
7353Mentor Ave.
Mentor, Ohio 44060 440-951-1721

Target Pharmacy 9669 Mentor Ave.
Mentor, Ohio 44060 440-210-5054

Beginning February 16, 2015, Lake County residents may pick up KI at LCGHD from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Health District is located at One Victoria Square Suite 125 in Painesville, Ohio 44077.

Businesses should call LCGHD at 440-350-2543 to place an order for KI for their employees. After their order has been filled, businesses will then pick up KI at LCGHD during business hours.

For more information about KI, call LCGHD at 440-350-2543 or visit their web site at www.lcghd.org; or the Ohio Department of Health web site at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/rp/techs/kipolicy.aspx .

 

Map of area within 10 miles of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant