Emergency Kit Comparison Chart

DETECT: A back-up to the reliance of government officials, such as FEMA, would be the possession of a small, discreet, personal radiation detector.  First to know -- First to escape.

BLOCK:  In 1982, the FDA approved IOSAT potassium iodide tablets for blocking the thyroid's absorption of cancer-causing radioactive iodine (only the thyroid absorbs iodine). Saturate the thyroid with potassium iodide's stable iodine so it won't absorb radioactive iodine, the predominate radioisotope released from a nuclear reactor release or nuclear bomb fallout.

DECONTAMINATE: Decontamination of yourself or your environment may be necessary. We offer radiation decontamination kits for dirty bomb type radiation such as Cesium, Strontium, Thallium, etc. or radioactive iodine I-131 specifically.

Terminology

block radiation - This refers to using FDA Approved potassium iodide to block the thyroid's absorption of radioactive iodine (I-131). Radioactive Iodine is the predominant radioisotope released from nuclear fission that can easily blanket large swaths of the population. It can travel with the weather pattern hundreds of miles downwind from its source. Because the thyroid is the only organ that absorbs and stores iodine, only the thyroid needs to be protected from radioactive iodine.

dirty bomb - A conventional explosive, such as dynamite, salted with radioactive waste that scatters when the bomb is detonated. It is not a nuclear bomb. The dirty bomb can kill or injure through the initial blast of the conventional explosive and through the dispersal of the radioactive materials-- hence the term "dirty". Radioactive Iodine would most likely not be present in a dirty bomb due to the fact that radioactive iodine is a byproduct of nuclear fission which takes place only within nuclear reactors and during the detonation of a nuclear bomb. Obviously this type of 'radioactive waste' would be next to impossible to obtain and incorporate in the makings of a dirty bomb. And because radioactive iodine has a half-life of 8 days (it decays by 50% every 8 days) it is with almost certainty that it would become stable (non-radioactive) long before it could be incorporated into a dirty bomb and detonated.

iodine - A chemical element, iodine is primarily used in medicine, photography and dyes. The thyroid requires about 150 micrograms of iodine every day from food and supplements for normal thyroid function. The thyroid is the only organ that absorbs, stores and uses iodine. A very stable, safe and concentrated form of iodine, such as potassium iodide, can also be used during radiation emergencies to block the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid.

Iodowash™ - A solution created to decontaminate surfaces and human skin of radioactive Halogens, including radioactive iodine (I-131).

nuclear fission - The splitting of the nucleus of an atom into parts. Nuclear fission happens in just two places - a nuclear bomb or inside of a nuclear reactor - and releases many types of radiation. Because of its aerosol-type physical trait, the one radioisotope from nuclear fission that can travel far from its source is radioactive iodine.

nuclear reactor - A device in which nuclear fission is initiated, controlled and sustained at a steady rate. Nuclear fission reactors are used to create energy and for scientific, medical and other research purposes.

potassium iodide - Also known as KI (Kalium iodide), potassium iodide, with iodine being its dominant element, was FDA Approved in 1982 for use as a thyroid blocking agent in the event of exposure to radioactive iodine. Only three brands of potassium iodide have been tested to be stable enough to earn FDA Approval for use during a radiation emergency. They are Iosat™, ThyroShield™ and Thyrosafe™. Potassium Iodide is inherently safe and is also added to table salt to make it "iodized". It can also be found in small quantities in daily vitamins to promote normal thyroid function.

Quick Decon™ - Solutions created to decontaminate surfaces (and skin) of radioactive Transition Metals and Actinides.

radioactive iodine - Also known as I-131, radioactive iodine is a by-product of nuclear fission and has just two sources - a nuclear bomb or a nuclear reactor.. Because of its aerosol-type characteristic, released from a nuclear bomb or nuclear reactor accident, it can travel hundreds of miles downwind from its source and cause thyroid cancer to those who inhale or ingest it. In 1986, a nuclear reactor exploded in Chernobyl and released radioactive iodine that traveled over 300 miles, causing more than 2000 known cases of thyroid cancer. The National Cancer Institute released an informative report attributing over 200,000 thyroid cancer cases from the U.S. government's above-ground testing of nuclear weapons in Nevada during the 1950s and 1960s.

radiation decontamination - Using environmentally safe solutions to remove radiation from surfaces including skin.

RADTriage - A U.S. Military-grade personal dosimeter that instantly detects radiation exposure in the event of a dirty bomb, nuclear reactor accident and other sources of radiation.

suitcase bomb - Also known a suitcase nuke, it is a nuclear bomb small enough to fit inside of a suitcase. Their value lies in their ability to be easily smuggled across borders, transported by either foot or automobile, and placed as close to the target as possible.