Soon after the accident at the Balakovo nuclear power plant occurred in early November 2004, local residents began to massively purchase iodine - in the form alcohol solution, tablets, iodized salt or seaweed. Although people have been assured that there were no dangerous releases, they continue to consume iodine in the hope of protecting themselves from radiation. But in reality, such “therapy” does not help at all, but only causes serious poisoning - residents of Saratov, Samara, Saransk and Penza were hospitalized.

From almost all regions of the Volga region there were reports that such “prevention” ended in poisoning and chemical burns. First they started buying in Samara, then they were joined by residents of Saratov, Saransk and Penza. In a panic, people consumed large quantities of all iodine-containing products - from seaweed to pharmaceutical alcohol solution, and for external use, scarce iodine was given only to children: they tried to coat them from head to toe.

Does iodine protect against radiation?

The reason for such panic is clear - people thought that a disaster had occurred not far from them, comparable in scale to Chernobyl. But where did the opinion come from that iodine would save them from radiation emissions?

Apparently, the fact is that the instructions for use of many iodine-containing medications - from potassium iodide to Lugol's solution - include "protection against radiation" among other indications for use. Further, for example, in the annotation for potassium iodide it is written: “start use one day before exposure to radioactive iodine and continue for 10 days.” But no one, it seems, began to understand what this phrase means - everyone rushed to the pharmacy.

Iodine and radioactive damage, which are indicated in the annotation, actually have quite little to do with the effects that the release of radioactive substances into the environment has on the body. Theoretically, iodine isotopes may be present in emissions from a nuclear power plant accident, but in addition to them, there are many other radioactive particles.

How to take medications containing iodine correctly?

And iodine preparations help protect the thyroid gland during special medical studies, in which doctors inject radioactive iodine. Such procedures include, in particular, scintigraphy.

To prevent dangerous iodine from accumulating in the gland, before the procedure begins (for example, one day before), an excess concentration of “normal” iodine is artificially created in the body, which is then maintained for some time after the study.

This allows almost all radioactive iodine to be removed in a short time, and the concentration of “ordinary” is normalized soon after stopping taking iodine-containing drugs.

What does medicine say about the use of iodine?

Thus, the use of iodine in the event of a radioactive release is in no way justified from a medical point of view. In the case of the Balakovo nuclear power plant, there was not even any evidence that at least some radioactive particles entered the external environment. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, steam escaped near the sensors on the steam pipeline of the second power unit of the nuclear power plant, as a result of which three main circulation pumps were switched off. “The automatic shutdown was caused by a break in the steam generator pipe of the power unit. The repairs have now been completed and the unit has been placed under minimum operating load. There was and is no increase in background radiation, much less toxic emissions. What happened at the Balakovo station has a zero level of danger according to the international scale of rating emergency events at nuclear power plants,” Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Saratov Region Valery Saraev noted in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Therefore, the panic surrounding the events at the nuclear power plant turned out to be much more dangerous than the events themselves. And the power unit where the accident occurred was launched the very next day.

Dmitry Larchenko

After the accident in Japan nuclear power plant many are scared possible consequences irradiation. How dangerous is radiation? How to protect yourself and your loved ones? The most typical statements are commented by the candidate medical sciences, therapist, head of the general medical practice department of the Nizhnevartovsk city clinic Svetlana Stanislavovna Denisova.

— I heard that radiation causes cancer.

— Increased radiation has a detrimental effect on dividing cells. Therefore, it is dangerous for those organs that are constantly renewed - the stomach and intestines. The bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of white blood cells, is also affected.

Due to radiation, the body can become defenseless against infection. Therefore, after irradiation, infectious complications, metabolic disorders, infertility, cataracts. But usually these ailments are a consequence of medium and large doses of radiation.

But small but persistent changes in background radiation can really provoke malignant tumors and leukemia. However, there is no need to panic. It is estimated that only 0.001% of cancers today are caused by. Even if this figure increases due to the accident in Japan, the “contribution” of radiation will still be insignificant.

— They say that we receive a certain dose of radiation every day.

— Each region has its own natural radiation background. And sometimes even neighboring areas differ radically in these indicators. Natural radionuclides are found in soil, building materials, air, food, and water. There are many places on Earth where the radiation dose coming, for example, from sand, is tens of times higher than normal.

But if you live in a favorable region, there is no particular health hazard. Those who are especially suspicious can be advised to purchase a dosimeter and measure the radiation themselves.

However, there are categories of people who take more risks than others. Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy are exposed to the most significant amounts of radiation. Despite the fact that doctors act very purposefully, directing the flow of radiation to the damaged organ, side effects are possible.

Another source of exposure is X-ray machines and CT scanners. But the exposure doses there are too small. You shouldn’t just do several large-scale studies in a row.

More than 60% of the annual radiation dose comes from cosmic rays. People who have to constantly fly on airplanes as part of their duties are especially susceptible to their effects.

— They say that computers, televisions and mobile phones aggravate the adverse effects of radiation on the body.

— A weak source of X-ray radiation were cathode-ray televisions and computer monitors that had already become a thing of history. Modern displays - liquid crystal and plasma - do not have radioactive properties.

Concerning mobile phones, then their radiation can adversely affect the body. But this has nothing to do with radiation.

— It is believed that smokers are more exposed to radiation.

- This is true. Smoking greatly increases the harm of radiation. After all, cigarette smoke itself contains radioactive polonium-210. Its concentration in the lungs of smokers is on average three times higher than that of ordinary people.

— They say that a special diet can reduce the harm of radiation.

— Some substances contained in products actually have such properties. For example, selenium. There is a lot of it in wheat sprouts, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts, garlic, and radishes. Try to eat them more often.

There are many natural antioxidants in blueberries, cranberries, grapes, rowan berries, currants, beets, pomegranates and other acidic and sweet and sour fruits red shades. They can also protect against radiation. Therefore, include them regularly in your diet.

— I heard that to prevent radiation you need to take iodine preparations.

— Iodine tablets are necessary if there is scientifically proven contamination of the area radioactive iodine-131. Basically, such emissions occur in the first days after disasters at nuclear facilities. In this case, medications can prevent negative impact on the thyroid gland. It will not protect against strontium and other substances.

But self-administration of iodine preparations, and especially iodine tincture, can cause great harm. Large doses of this substance can block the work thyroid gland. And then you will have to undergo long-term treatment with an endocrinologist.

Despite the assurances of experts that the consequences of explosions at Japanese nuclear power plants are unlikely to reach our shores, people are still scared. Residents of Primorye are buying dosimeters and iodine preparations at exorbitant prices. Of course, you need to hope for the best, but it won’t hurt to figure out what actually protects against radiation. Leading researcher of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences, director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, will help us with this. Professor Evgeniy ZHAROV

Sauerkraut against isotopes

As our expert said, those isotopes that create an increased radiation background around the damaged Japanese nuclear power plants are short-lived. That is, they “dissipate” after 7-8 days. And, given the direction of the wind, there is no direct threat to our population. Nevertheless preventive measures won't hurt. Let's figure out how the most popular measures to protect the body from radiation work.

- Iodine prevents the accumulation of cesium and strontium in the body. And if healthy man If you take iodine-containing products for 3-4 weeks, there will be no harm. But an excess of this trace element in the body can lead to disruption of the production of thyroid hormones. And this is unsafe. Therefore, if you already have or have had any problems with the thyroid gland, then you should not take iodine without first consulting an endocrinologist.

- Red wine does not “remove” radiation, this is a common opinion. But it is a powerful antioxidant. That is, it suppresses the action of free radicals and inhibits oxidative processes in the body, which are also triggered by radiation. In this sense it can be considered good prophylactic. But! Only in small doses. The WHO recommended dose is 150-200 ml per day, that is, a glass. In large doses, even the best wine acts like a banal drink and weakens the immune system. Strong drinks, such as vodka, do not affect radiation. And don't start.

- Ascorbic acid , as is known, activates the body's defenses. Taking vitamin C in daily doses of up to 1.5 grams is a recognized means of boosting immunity and is part of anti-radiation therapy. Most ascorbic acid in sauerkraut, sea buckthorn, from citrus fruits - in grapefruits.

Rice and cottage cheese “cleanse” the body of radionuclides

First of all - enterosorption. Behind compound word the use of sorbent agents is hidden, which remove decay products of radioactive toxins from the intestines. There are pharmaceutical sorbents ( Activated carbon- 2-3 tablets before meals, enterosgel, etc.). Of the foods that have the best cleansing properties, fiber-rich oatmeal, grain bread, pears, unprocessed rice, and prunes have the best cleansing properties.

Dairy products, especially cottage cheese, reduce the accumulation of the radioactive metal strontium. And the substance methionine, contained in milk and fish, is necessary for the removal of radionuclides.

Fruits and fruits also have good sorbing properties. vegetable juices with pulp, decoction of flax seeds, decoction of chaga mushroom (this recipe has long been used by people living near repositories of radioactive substances).

And you generally need to drink more fluids to ensure permanent job kidneys to eliminate toxins. You can simply drink clean, clean water in small portions between meals.

We really hope that the following advice will not be useful in practice. But so, for general development: the most undesirable foods in conditions of increased radiation are jellied meat, bone broth (they accumulate radionuclides), beef, boiled eggs(strontium from the shell turns into protein during cooking).

As for the general rules of prevention: it is advisable to change and wash clothes after each time you go outside, take a shower several times a day, that is, try to wash off possible radioactive particles from your skin as much as possible.

BY THE WAY

Radiation is more dangerous for men and... blondes

The threat of radiation contamination is also an enormous stress for the body - both psychological and physical. And first of all, as practice has already shown, people exposed to even small doses of radiation suffer reproductive function. Moreover, as studies have shown, male infertility from radiation occurs more often in women. As Professor Zharov said, during the period cold war weapons, nuclear countries began to actively create sperm banks just in case.

Also, people with fair skin and hair are more susceptible to radiation compared to dark-skinned and dark-haired people. The same mechanism works here as in the case of UV radiation. After all, everyone knows that blondes and blonds burn faster in the sun.

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On the brink of nuclear disaster. The radiation level in the Land of the Rising Sun has been exceeded tens of times - chronology of events

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