Public warned against excessive iodize salt intake

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday warned people who insist on "protecting" themselves against nuclear radiation from Japan that an overdose of iodized salt could result in poisoning.

It also allayed fears of radiation-tainted food products reaching the Philippines, saying it remains limited to the area near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.

In an advisory posted on its website, the WHO said it is dangerous for people to take in large amounts of iodized salt if only to avoid the effects of radiation.

"It is dangerous to take large amounts of iodized salt in order to increase the amount of stable iodine in the body. Increasing one's daily intake of iodized salt will cause more harm than good," the WHO said.

It stressed that sodium chloride is acutely toxic in large amounts, that even tablespoon quantities of salt repeatedly taken over a short period of time could cause poisoning.

Research showed that the recommended amount of iodine for adults is about 150 micrograms per day, while children need between 70 and 150 micrograms of iodine per day. Also, pregnant women need 175 micrograms of iodine per day, while lactating women need 200 micrograms per day.

The WHO said that as a matter of fact, iodized salt and other forms of iodine cannot be taken as alternatives to potassium iodide pills as a way to counter radiation effects.

"Other products that contain iodine, other than medicines, should not be taken unless it is recommended by public health authorities," it added.

Iodized salt is one of the more common forms of iodine aside from those in the disinfectants, antiseptics and water-sterilizing solutions.

Last week, fears of a possible spill over of the nuclear radiation reaching the Philippines spread due to the continuous worsening condition of the nuclear reactors of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.

Japanese authorities have advised ingestion of potassium iodide in a bid to protect themselves against thyroid cancer in case of radioactive exposure in a nuclear accident, but only for people living within the plant's 30-kilometer zone.

But Philippine health officials on Sunday said it is not yet going to purchase and distribute potassium iodide to the public since the country is safe from effects of the nuclear radiation.

Over the weekend, reports also said that radiation-contaminated food products, like milk and certain vegetables, were monitored in Japan.

But WHO, allaying fears of the radiation-contaminated food, said that at the moment, it is unlikely that all food products from Japan are contaminated by the leaked radioactivity.

"Concern, at the moment, would be restricted to food from the affected zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant produced after the leakage of radioactivity began," the health body said.

WHO, however, admitted that it is highly possible that the food products coming from the area are contaminated by radiation; therefore, endangering the health of those who would consume them.

"Consuming contaminated food will increase the amount of radioactivity a person is exposed to and could increase the health risks associated with exposure," said the WHO.

It added that foods considered as risky to radiation contamination are leafy green vegetables, seafood, and animal dairy products such as milk and egg.

Animal products will also be at risk of contamination if the animal consumes contaminated grass or feed.

Reports on nuclear contamination was a result of the damages caused by the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and 33-feet tsunami waves that hit Japan two weeks ago. Hundreds were confirmed dead in the tragedies. (AMN/Sunnex)

via SUNSTAR