Replacement potassium iodide pills to be distributed to residents near nuclear generating stations

Whitby, Ontario - Ontario Power Generation (OPG), in partnership with Durham Region Health Department and Toronto Emergency Management, will provide residents living within 10 kilometres of the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations with replacement potassium iodide (KI) pills. These pills will replace those distributed in 2015, which are set to expire in 2027.

Residents within the 10 km zone will automatically receive a KI package by mail at their home address. Residents living within 10 to 50 kilometres of the nuclear generating stations should check the expiry date on their current KI supply and order replacements through preparetobesafe.ca before their pills expire.

When you receive replacement KI pills, throw out all expired KI pills properly. Take expired blister packs to your local pharmacy for safe disposal and recycle the exterior box at home. Never flush KI pills or any medication down the toilet, as this can harm water systems and the environment.

Although boxes and manufacturers may vary, each pill contains 65 mg of potassium iodide, also referred to as KI. Despite these differences, the product is the same. The pills come in different boxes because each manufacturer uses its own branding and packaging.

KI pills help protect the thyroid gland by blocking the uptake of radioactive iodine, reducing the risk of thyroid cancer in the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency. This protection is especially important for newborns, children, adolescents, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals. KI should only be taken when instructed by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health during a nuclear emergency.

"The Health Department is committed to ensuring community preparedness by promoting the availability of potassium iodide (KI) tablets," said Anthony Di Pietro, Director, Health Protection with Durham Region Health Department. "We encourage residents to replace expired pills and dispose of them responsibly."

A limited supply of KI pills is also available free of charge at select local pharmacies. Durham Region Health Department works in partnership with the following pharmacies to help with local distribution:

• Bay Ridges Pharmacy, 1794 Liverpool Rd., Pickering
• Pickering Medical Pharmacy, 1885 Glenanna Rd., Pickering
• Liverpool Pharmacy, 725 Krosno Blvd., Pickering
• Global Drug Mart Remedy's Rx, 130 Waverly Rd., Bowmanville
• Courtice Pharmasave, 2727 Courtice Rd., Courtice

For more information or to order a free supply of KI pills online, visit preparetobesafe.ca or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

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