Those living near power plants in Durham region and Scarborough are being given a little more protection against a potential nuclear disaster.
Neal Kelly, a spokesperson for the Ontario Power Generation, told CP24 that about 200,000 homes and businesses that are located within a 10 kilometre zone of the Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations have been sent a package of pills in the mail that officials say will offer protection against radioactive iodine.
“This is a change in regulation. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, our regulator, mandated that all nuclear power operators distribute the KI pills to all homes and businesses within the 10-km zone," Kelly said Tuesday.
The potassium iodide pills help prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing the radioactive material and reduce an individual’s risk of thyroid cancer.
The $1.5 million project was funded by the OPG and is operated in conjunction with Durham Region and the City of Toronto.
Those living within 50 kilometres of the power plants can also order the pills free of charge at preparetobesafe.ca.
