ATSDR - Iodine 131 Case Study

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Case Study on Iodine 131

For Immediate Release: Feb. 27, 2004

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today announced the release of a case study on Iodine 131 that is now available on the ATSDR internet site http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HEC/CSEM/iodine/index.html.

ATSDR's Case Studies in Environmental Medicine are a series of self-instructional publications designed to increase the primary care provider's knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to aid in the evaluation of potentially exposed patients. These case studies are available at ATSDR's Web site under Education and Training at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HEC/CSEM.

The case study on Radiation Exposure from Iodine 131 (I-131) was developed because large amounts of this isotope were released during the production and testing of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Many people in the United States were exposed to radiation fallout from I-131 from multiple sources between 1945 and 1962. Individuals who were exposed are at risk for thyroid and parathyroid disease including cancer of the thyroid, especially those exposed when they were younger than 10 years of age.

This case study discusses the ways in which people were exposed to I-131 in the environment, the physical effects, and thyroid tumors of past I-131 exposures. The study presents a comprehensive approach to clinical evaluation with treatment and management, as well as information on acute exposures and prophylactic administration of stable iodine (potassium iodide). In addition, the case study includes information about standards and regulations on the use of I-131, references, and a suggested reading list. For direct access to the case study, visit: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HEC/CSEM/iodine/index.html.

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances. Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Jennifer Sarginson or Jill Smith in the ATSDR Office of Communication at 404-498-0070.

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Updated by R. Searfoss March 8, 2004
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
1-888-422-8737 or e-mail (public inquiries)
404-498-0080 or e-mail (news media)