Iodine prophylaxis at Sellafield (Last updated 1st May 2003).

Calder Hall nuclear reactor ceased operation on 31st March 2003. This is the only plant on the Sellafield site that could cause an off site release of radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine has a short half life of around 8 days, and by the time the currently predistributed stocks of potassium iodate tablets reach the end of their shelf life in July, there will be only trace amounts of radioactive iodine remaining in the reactor.

West Cumbria Primary Care Trust, Cumbria County Council Emergency Planning Unit and The Health Protection Agency have been working on this matter for some months and the decision was taken to cease predistribution of tablets when the current stocks expire.

• Current Householders' Leaflet (pdf)
• Questions & Answers on KI Tablets (pdf)
• Paper presented at West Cumbria PCT Board Meeting in March (pdf)

• The Primary Care Trust will be writing to householders in the area shortly and a copy of the letter will appear here.