Ocean County Health Department Giving Away Potassium Iodide Tablets At Four Locations

Do you live or work within a 10-mile radius of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township?

Then you might want to consider picking up free potassium iodide pills offered by the Ocean County Health Department.

The free pills are being offered at four convenient locations throughout the county or at the Ocean County Health Department.

“KI is being offered as a preparedness measure and not in response to any imminent danger or threat," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the department.

Anyone who lives or works in the following towns can obtain the pills:

Barnegat Light, Barnegat Township, Beachwood, Beach Haven, Berkeley Township, Toms River, Harvey Cedars, Island Heights, Lacey Township, Long Beach Township, Pine Beach, Ocean Township (Waretown), Ocean Gate, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, South Toms River, Stafford, and Surf City,.

Residents should check their current supply to identify if their pills are due to expire in March 2017. Residents with pills expected to expire may bring their old pills and trade them in for new ones.

“Potassium iodide, an ingredient found in table salt, can provide protection for the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine and can reduce the risk of thyroid cancer after a nuclear emergency," said Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Daniel F. Regenye. "If this should occur, public health officials would tell you when to take the KI tablet. Only one dose is recommended, more could increase the risk of side effects."

The four sites include:

Berkley Township, Central Regional High School (East Entrance)- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 15.

509 Forest Hills Parkway

Bayville, New Jersey

Lacey Township – Lacey Township Community Center 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m on Feb. 28.

101 North Main Street., Forked River

Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017

Waretown – Ocean County Fire and First Aid Training Center - 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 8.

200 Volunteer Way, Waretown

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Ocean County Southern Service Center - 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 14

179 South Main Street, Manahawkin

KI pills will also be distributed at the Ocean County Health Department at 175 Sunset Avenue in Toms River between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents must bring some type of identification to show that they live or work within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) area, such as driver’s license, property tax record, utility bill, employee ID card, paycheck stub. One family member can pick up tablets for all members of the family. All KI sites will distribute fact sheets which include dosage and any other applicable information.

If you have any questions regarding KI tablets and distribution, please call 732-341-9700, ext. 7503. You can also visit the Health Department website at www.ochd.org or follow the Health Department at Twitter@OCpublichealth or like the Health Department on Facebook

Image: Patricia A. Miller