Japan Nuclear Explosion Causes Rush on Potassium Iodide

Do you salt your food?

Then you've probably consumed potassium iodide, the substance in pills officials say you should have on hand in case of a radiological emergency.

Officials are careful to point out that potassium iodide is not an "anti-radiation" pill; it is limited to preventing your thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine that may be emitted in a nuclear incident.

About 100 people have called the city of San Clemente to stock up on the pills in case of emergency, said Jen Tucker, the city's emergency planning officer, spurred on by Friday's earthquake and subsequent dire nuclear plant compromise.

"We've had a lot," she said. "It's more than we usually have, but it's not indicative of panic."

The potassium iodide pills can have side effects and are dangerous if you're allergic to shellfish, for instance, so take them only at the direction of a public health official.

For information about potassium iodide and other disaster preparedness facts, visit the city of San Clemente's website here.

The city said that the pills were issued to cities around disaster areas by Orange County's public pharmacist and do not require a prescription.

More important than potassium iodide pills, however, is having the right information about what's happening. That's why Tucker urges everyone in San Clemente and Orange County to register thei home and cellular telephone numbers with AlertOC, sometimes called "reverse 911."

This service, which already automatically calls land lines throughout the county, will also send emails and call cell phones with information about natural or manmade disasters in the area.

For instance, Tucker said, Friday she used the system to alert about 60 households right on the coast in San Clemente about the Tsunami advisory--and that they didn't have to evacuate.

Even if you have a landline, she urged people to register their cell phones.

"It can be used after a disaster," Tucker said. "We can use it to tell you when it's safe to come back. Yorba Linda and Brea used it after (the Freeway Complex Fire) to let people know about where FEMA set up relief centers."