Fear of Nuclear Emergency Leads to Shortages of Iodine Tablets in Denmark: Unpacking the Current Situation

In recent days, there has been a surge in the purchase of iodine tablets in Denmark due to fear of a potential nuclear emergency. This phenomenon is not limited to Denmark, as it has also occurred in other countries such as France, where the ingestion of iodine tablets is recommended to reduce negative effects on the thyroid following exposure to high levels of radiation.

The Danish National Agency for Emergency Management published guidelines on protecting oneself from a nuclear emergency, which led citizens to believe that the risk of a nuclear accident had suddenly increased in the country. However, Kresten Breddam, head of the radiation protection unit at the Danish Health Authority, advised that the effects of potassium iodide tablets on human health are less significant for individuals over 40. The World Health Organization also recommends against taking iodine tablets for those over 40 as there is no documented link between exposure to radioactive iodine and thyroid cancer in this age group.

Despite not using atomic energy itself, Denmark is in close proximity to countries like Finland, Sweden, and France, which have nuclear power plants. There are concerns about potential radioactive leaks affecting Danish soil, especially with Russian icebreakers passing through the Baltic and North Sea powered by nuclear reactors. The rush to buy iodine tablets in response to updated recommendations from authorities has caused shortages in many cities.

It’s important to note that while the Danish authorities have not explicitly stated an increase in risk, they updated their recommendations to include a broad spectrum of possibilities. This led to a surge in purchases of medicines and supplies needed in case of a nuclear accident. The specific type of iodine tablets needed are only available in pharmacies, as other sources like supplements from supermarkets do not contain adequate amounts of iodine.