The Danish Health Agencyconcerned about the war in Ukraine, will buy 2 million iodine pills to protect the population in case of a nuclear accident near the Nordic country, reported Monday.
Iodine is seen as a way to protect the body against conditions such as thyroid cancer in the event of radioactive exposure, and concerns about nuclear incidents in Ukraine have led to reservations across Europe.
The evolution of Covid-19 in the last two years has shown us that it is important to be prepared. The war in Ukraine has shown us that the world is unpredictable,” the agency said in a press release.
Denmark is more than 900 kilometers from the nearest nuclear power plants in Ukraine, according to the health agency, and there is currently no concrete risk, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said in an emailed comment.
The iodine reserve would be used in the event of an accident at a nuclear power plant in the vicinity of Denmark – which does not have such plants but is close to some in Sweden and Germany – or on board nuclear-powered ships in Danish waters.
A reserve of 2 million pills would cover risk groups, including children and young people up to 18 years old, pregnant and lactating women and emergency personnel up to 40 years old, according to agency estimates.
For people over 40, there is no protective effect of taking iodine tablets, according to the agency.
It is expected that the first deliveries are made within two or three months.