Alt-Info’s Manipulation about the EU’s Shipment of Potassium Iodide to Ukraine

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On October 5th, 2022, ‘Alt-News’ – the Facebook page of the pro-Russian propaganda media Alt-Info published a post, according to which the European Union has provided Ukraine with 5 million doses of iodine (potassium iodide tablets) in case Russia uses nuclear weapons.

Alt-Info disseminates the fact of the transfer of potassium iodide tablets to Ukraine by the European Union in a manipulative way. In fact, the European Union provided iodine to Ukraine based on the request of the Ukrainian government to protect the health of the population residing near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant because the use of this type of medicine is recommended mainly in the case of radiation pollution caused by the damage of nuclear power plants, and not in the case of a nuclear explosion.

On August 26th, 2022, the European Union received an official request from the Ukrainian government for the supply of potassium iodide tablets. In response, the Emergency Response Coordination Center mobilized 5 million tablets of potassium iodide from emergency reserves through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, while Austria prepared an additional 500,000 tablets for delivery to Ukraine. The medicine was given to Ukraine to strengthen safety measures and protect the health of the population in the event of a radiation leak from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Since March 2022, the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been under the control of Russian forces. Ukraine accuses Russia of using the nuclear power plant for nuclear blackmail. The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, also addressed the fact of the transfer of iodine-containing medicines.

Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management: “No nuclear power plant should ever be used as a war theatre. It is unacceptable that civilian lives are put in danger. All military action around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant must stop immediately. The EU is pre-emptively delivering five million potassium iodide tablets to Ukraine from the rescEU strategic reserves to offer people protection in case of exposure to high levels of radiation. I want to thank Austria for donating an additional 500,000 tablets to Ukraine. We will continue to be on the lookout and stand ready to act, because preparedness saves lives.”

Potassium iodide (KI) is a non-radioactive compound of iodine and can be used to neutralize one of the radioactive substances, radioactive iodine (I-131). Taking potassium iodide prevents the absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland and thus protects the body from internal contamination. During radiation leakage from nuclear power plants, radioactive iodine may be released into the environment and enter the human body through breathing and eating.

Absorption of high doses of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland increases the risks of hypothyroidism. After taking potassium iodide, the thyroid gland no longer absorbs radioactive iodine because “there is no more room” for it to be absorbed. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the public to take potassium iodide only if there is an official recommendation. Potassium iodide is effective for specific groups of people only in specific situations.

Radioactive iodine pollution is mainly associated with damage to nuclear power plants. During other types of radioactive disasters, such as, for example, a nuclear explosion, the main danger is external radiation exposure. In such a case, the recommendation is not to take potassium iodide, but to find an appropriate shelter.


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Violation: Manipulation
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