Becker D V
JAMA. 1987 Aug 7;258(5):649-54. doi: 10.1001/jama.258.5.649.
In a reactor accident with release of radioactivity, the major potential public health risks are likely to result from radioiodines, particularly iodine 131, which can be readily volatilized and dispersed. They are rapidly absorbed and concentrated by the thyroid, which could result in substantial thyroidal radiation. Although some forms of radiation can cause thyroid cancer in humans, 131I has not been shown to do so, and 40 years of safe experience with this radionuclide in routine clinical thyroid testing and treatment has been reassuring. Nevertheless, since 131I has been shown to cause thyroid neoplasms in animals, efforts to minimize unwarranted exposure seem advisable. Potassium iodide, administered at an appropriate time, will effectively block thyroid uptake, but it has potential toxicity and may be difficult to distribute effectively and safely on a large scale in an emergency. Evaluation of the risks and benefits of potassium iodide use is essential to establishing sound public health policy but awaits additional scientific information.
在发生放射性物质释放的反应堆事故中，主要的潜在公共卫生风险可能来自放射性碘，尤其是碘131，它很容易挥发和扩散。它们会迅速被甲状腺吸收并浓缩，这可能导致甲状腺受到大量辐射。虽然某些形式的辐射可导致人类患甲状腺癌，但尚未表明碘131会导致这种情况，并且在常规临床甲状腺检测和治疗中对这种放射性核素40年的安全使用经验令人放心。然而，由于已表明碘131会导致动物患甲状腺肿瘤，因此尽量减少不必要的暴露似乎是可取的。在适当的时候服用碘化钾将有效地阻止甲状腺摄取，但它有潜在毒性，在紧急情况下可能难以大规模有效且安全地分发。评估使用碘化钾的风险和益处对于制定合理的公共卫生政策至关重要，但这有待更多科学信息。
