The distribution of potassium iodide (KI) pills continues in the Town of Amherstburg.
The Town has teamed up with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to get pills to residents living closest to the Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan.
Pills are still being given to those in the primary zone who could not attend a distribution event this past weekend. Alternate arrangements are now in place for all residents.
Distribution began this past weekend for those living in the primary zone, a 16.1-kilometre radius of the plant. It includes southwestern Amherstburg, the downtown core, and Boblo Island.
Fire Chief Bruce Montone told WindsorNewsToday.ca last week that the pills given out in 2017 are expiring, and that having new pills is vital.
"Potassium iodide is actually a thyroid blocker," said Montone. "Your thyroid gland is what absorbs the radiation exposure into your system, and so the purpose of the pills is to block that from occurring."
Despite the Fermi II plant being in the U.S., the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) mandates that all residents within the plant's primary zone have KI pills readily available.
KI pills can be picked up during regular business hours at Amherstburg Town Hall, the Libro Centre, and the health unit's Windsor headquarters.
Pills can also be ordered online through the health unit, and mailed to the resident's address. The Ontario Ministry of Health is covering the cost.
Complete information about KI pills can be found on the health unit's official website.
-with files from Adelle Loiselle-
