Dear Jim,
I read with interest the posted letter on KIO3 versus KI. “Letter Re: Potassium Iodide Versus Potassium Iodate for Post-Nuke Thyroid Gland Protection”. As a manufacturer of both KI and KIO3 I would like to point out that KIO3 is FDA approved and inspected. All of the ingredients are FDA approved and inspected as is the facility where it is made. Even the tableting machines and mixers are registered with the FDA and the DEA.
KIO3 as well as it’s ingredients are, by law, approved and inspected by the FDA. Here is an example where our KIO3 is assayed under the watchful eye of the FDA according to the rules of the Food Chemical Codex (FCC). Our KI is assayed under USP. An example of the assay of my KIO3 can be viewed here. Notice that it is assayed above FDA minimum standards.
The FDA approval that some people are so proud of is called the Orange List or Orange Book. OTC (over-the-counter) [drugs and supplements] are not controlled substances and do not need to be on the Orange List unless:
1) You apply for it, or
2) The FDA invites you to be on it. In the case of KI and KIO3, the Orange List gives you permission to bid on Federal contracts if you desire to do so.
In 2002 the FDA and [Center for Drug Evaluation and Research] (CDER) asked my company (Medical Corps) if we would consider coming to Bethesda, Maryland to put Medical Corps’ KIO3 on the Orange List. So, I did some studying and determined that—at the time—putting KIO3 or even my KI on the list would be like the kiss of death for the following reasons:
1.) What is sold to the government doesn’t go to the people, it goes in storage.
2.) It would drive the price up
3.) At the time, the FDA had the wrong dosages down for KI and I wanted no part of that.
4.) Most importantly, I didn’t need FDA approval to sell KIO3 to the public or the States.
5.) For their own personal use government employees often buy KIO3… Secret Service, State Department, FBI, FDA, DEA, others.
So, I turned down the much-touted FDA approval for the Orange List.
As for KI being FDA approved for the Orange List: some is and some isn’t. Only if you want to fill Federal contracts do you need to be on the list.
I no longer sell my KI to the US public. While studying KI, I came across several studies that showed that KI causes cancer in lab animals. KIO3 didn’t. To me, that’s important. Most of the rest of the world uses KIO3 and the Scots advise that the citizens should have the KIO3 in their homes and not in a stockpile. (Note: I, personally, would not hesitate to give a patient KI in a Nuclear Emergency. It is a good thyroid blocker.)
The only toxicity study with KIO3 was some people in India swallowed the equivalent of thousands of tablets of KIO3 and it gave them blurred vision for a while. I’m surprised that it didn’t kill them.
So if someone bought KI because someone said the FDA Orange list made it superior—it’s not true. Overall, KIO3 is superior —unless you think selling to the Federal government makes you superior. Medical Corps has put many millions of tablets of KIO3 into the hands of American Citizens as well as State EMS departments. Millions of our tablets have gone overseas where the standard has always been KIO3. It was Medical Corps’ KIO3 that created dozens upon dozens of sub-distributors and supported their efforts for preparedness for over the past decade.
I have actually given trade-ins for people with KI just to get it out of their houses.
Both KI and KIO3 can be rough on the stomach. I’ve taken both on more than one occasion for testing purposes. KIO3 seems to be a bit rougher on the empty stomach, but KI is exceedingly bitter. Here’s what to do;
First and foremost, you need to have several weeks worth of KI or KIO3 on hand in storage now because if we have a nuclear event the chances of you getting it after the event is remote to nonexistent. The National Pharmaceutical Stockpile will not be able to reach in a timely manner because of radiation pollution and especially EMP [disrupting communications and transportation]. There will be no [grid] electricity and vehicles, radios, television et cetera will not work. Ergo, no distribution or thyroid blockers for America.
Another point to consider: If we have one nuclear event we will most likely have more than one over several days time. That is the reason we (several manufacturers have multi-dose bottles. We had to ask ourselves, “How much is enough?”
If you are counting on the two tablets of KI or KIO3 that was handed out, it won’t be enough. Since I no longer carry KI for the US, who would I recommend to purchase more KI from? Shane Conner of www.ki4u.com has a ready supply and he is a trustworthy manufacturer. I often recommend him. The other maker I would recommend is Kevin Briggs who makes Rad Block. It can be purchased at www.TACDA.com
How to Take KI and KIO3
KIO3 can be taken in tablet form or sprinkled on food or drinks. It is not bitter and children won’t throw it up–which is the point. However, taking it on an empty stomach feels like taking an aspirin on an empty stomach so take it with food or especially lots of water. If food or water is not handy then by all means don’t delay–just take the proper dose or chew up the proper dose. KI has less of that “I just drank a cold drink” feeling.
KI is terribly bitter and the taste must be disguised. It made about 6% of the population vomit during Chernobyl and I would think that most were children. The FDA has devoted a huge page on disguising the taste of KI. Here is a quick list on what to do, reprinted from the FDA’s site:
* Low fat chocolate milk
* Orange juice
* Flat Soda (For example, cola)
* Raspberry syrup
The mixture of potassium iodide with raspberry syrup disguises the taste of potassium iodide best. The mixtures of potassium iodide with low fat chocolate milk, orange juice, and flat soda (for example, cola) generally have an acceptable taste. Low fat white milk and water did not hide the salty taste of potassium iodide.
If you only have KI then it is a must that the child keep it down or the child’s thyroid may be exposed to a lethal dose of I-131. Find some way to make them keep it down.
In the event of a nuclear disaster or nuclear bomb you will have to take KI or KIO3 to protect your thyroid if you are down wind.
I’m supposed to say that the authorities will tell you when to take the KIO3, but EMP will be a problem for that and most likely the authorities will either be in a shelter or be glowing plasma–so you really are on your own. A gas mask will not do the job properly. Human skin will absorb radioactive iodine even if you have on a mask. The only way to completely avoid I-131 is to have a self-contained blast [and fallout] shelter [with air filtration].
In closing, I repeat, buy your KI or KIO3 now so you can concentrate on other things like food, water, shelter and education. Especially education because the old civil defense motto was Knowledge Replaces Fear.
Sincerely, – Chuck Fenwick, Director, Medical Corps