2RHPZ
06-28-2004, 02:27 AM
9 Tamuz 5764, Monday 9:40
Reactor neighbors to get anti-radiation pills
By HERB KEINON
Israel will begin distributing iodine-based tablets within the next two months to residents of areas near the country's nuclear reactors to provide protection in case of radioactive leakage, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the cabinet Sunday.
Mofaz said that the pill will be distributed to residents living near the Dimona reactor, including residents of Dimona, Yeruham and Arad in the south, and to Yavne, close to the Nahal Sorek plant, in the center of the country.
Mofaz sought to reassure the public over the decision to distribute the pills, saying the move does not reflect in any way concern about the safety of the reactors in Israel. The reactors in Israel are very safe and protected, and the chance of an attack on them, or a fault in them, is very slim.
Nevertheless, Mofaz said, the decision to distribute the pills which Israel has had in storehouses for some 20 years was made because in case of nuclear leakage, it is important to begin treatment immediately.
Mofaz said that the decision, approved by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was made together with the relevant medical, security and nuclear experts. He said that this practice is widespread throughout the world, and is policy in Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and certain US states.
The pills will be distributed by the Home Front Command, with soldiers going house-to-house in the distribution areas. The distribution will be accompanied by a major public relations campaign aimed at relieving the fears of those to receive the pills. The decision to distribute the tablets now was reportedly taken because it took too long, during a recent drill, to get them in the hands of those who will likely need them in case of an emergency.
He said that this practice is widespread throughout the world, and is policy in Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and certain US states.
I may confirm ...
Reactor neighbors to get anti-radiation pills
By HERB KEINON
Israel will begin distributing iodine-based tablets within the next two months to residents of areas near the country's nuclear reactors to provide protection in case of radioactive leakage, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the cabinet Sunday.
Mofaz said that the pill will be distributed to residents living near the Dimona reactor, including residents of Dimona, Yeruham and Arad in the south, and to Yavne, close to the Nahal Sorek plant, in the center of the country.
Mofaz sought to reassure the public over the decision to distribute the pills, saying the move does not reflect in any way concern about the safety of the reactors in Israel. The reactors in Israel are very safe and protected, and the chance of an attack on them, or a fault in them, is very slim.
Nevertheless, Mofaz said, the decision to distribute the pills which Israel has had in storehouses for some 20 years was made because in case of nuclear leakage, it is important to begin treatment immediately.
Mofaz said that the decision, approved by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was made together with the relevant medical, security and nuclear experts. He said that this practice is widespread throughout the world, and is policy in Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and certain US states.
The pills will be distributed by the Home Front Command, with soldiers going house-to-house in the distribution areas. The distribution will be accompanied by a major public relations campaign aimed at relieving the fears of those to receive the pills. The decision to distribute the tablets now was reportedly taken because it took too long, during a recent drill, to get them in the hands of those who will likely need them in case of an emergency.
He said that this practice is widespread throughout the world, and is policy in Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and certain US states.
I may confirm ...