PREPARED BY: Environmental Health
DATE: September 26, 2024
SUBJECT: Potassium Iodide (KI) Pill Replacement Program - Nuclear Preparedness Program
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Windsor and Essex County (WEC) is located within the primary and secondary zones of two nuclear installations – the Enrico Fermi 2 and the Davis-Besse. Although both installations are not located within Canadian borders, the impact they have on our region is the same in the event a nuclear emergency occurs.
As defined by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission the two emergency planning zones around each nuclear power plant are:
- Primary Zone: The plume exposure pathway extends about 10 miles (16 kms) in a radius around a nuclear plant
- Secondary Zone: The ingestion pathway extends about 50 miles (80 kms) in radius around a nuclear plant
According to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), all nuclear installations must ensure that potassium iodide (KI) tablets are pre-distributed, and that pre-distribution includes a public education plan. KI tablets are a stable iodine salt that blocks the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine during a nuclear incident. In the event of a nuclear emergency, residents will receive instructions from WECHU’s Medical Officer of Health to take their tablets to prevent the long-term development of thyroid cancer.
Since the Enrico Fermi 2 Nuclear Generating Station and the Davis – Basse Nuclear Power Station are not regulated by the CNSC, the responsibility for K) tablet distribution falls on the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), the Municipalities of WEC, and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
DISCUSSION
The WECHU initially initiated the first distribution of KI pills in collaboration with municipal partners in 2018. Those pills are approaching expiration in the spring of 2025. The WECHU re-launched the KI Distribution Program in July 2024 with a media release and a kick off event in partnership with the Town of Amherstburg to ensure that residents living in the primary and secondary zones are prepared in the event of a nuclear emergency. Approximately 500 KI pill kits were provided to residents who attended onsite at the July 27, 2024 event. For those residents who did not receive their KI pills they are able to obtain them through mail outs or select pick-up locations.
As of September 4, 2024, approximately 1,300 KI pill kits have been distributed to primary and secondary zone residents. KI pill distribution events will continue into the fall, the WECHU is collaborating with The Town of Lasalle and the Town of Essex for in-person pick sessions. All other municipalities will be contacted to schedule their events.
Strategic messaging and collaborating with municipal partners will be utilized to increase awareness to nuclear emergency preparedness to ensure high risk individuals and priority populations living within the primary zone and secondary zones of nuclear installations are prepared.
In March 2025, the WECHU will be participating in the Cobalt Magnet 2025 (CM25) Emergency Preparedness Exercise. CM25 is a United States-led exercise that includes a nuclear release scenario in Michigan spanning the Canadian border. All levels of the Canadian federal, provincial and municipal Governments will participate in the CM25 to support and enhance Ontario’s nuclear emergency management program.