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Health Risk of Nuclear- Power- plant Accidents on Thyroid Gland and Human Health
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Hossein Delshad   , Feridoun Azizi |
| research institute for endocrine sciences , delshad1336@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: (8678 Views) |
| Introduction: On the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl power plant accident, interest was rekindled by the recent Japan nuclear disaster, and the medical consequences from the fall out are once again under scrutiny. In a nuclear power plant, the fuel, is an isotope of either Uranium or Plutonium. In the event of an accident, radioactive elements escape into the environment. By far the most dramatic accidents occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 and at the Fukushima nuclear power plant of Japan on March 11, 2011. A major health hazard of a nuclear accident is childhood thyroid cancer which can be avoided if stable iodine is administered as prophylaxis during the hours immediately following the accident and particularly in young children. Early administration of iodine is critical because it is not as useful if taken six hours after radiation exposure. Prior to 1986 the usefulness of this prophylaxis was controversial since there was limited data on is potential carcinogenic risks. At present, however there is no doubt that prophylaxis with potassium iodide (KI) with limited consumption of contaminated food is not harmful and useful if administered promptly. |
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| Keywords: Nuclear Power Plant, Radiation, Thyroid Cancer |
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Full-Text [PDF 322 kb]
(9138 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Endocrinology
Received: 2012/04/24 | Accepted: 2013/03/6 | Published: 2013/03/6
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