The entire population of Belgium, about 11 million people, will get rich in iodine tablets, which help protect the body from the harmful effects of radiation. According to the newspaper La Libre Belgique, the decision was taken by the government of the country.
According to the Minister of health and social Affairs Maggie De Block, the preventive use of these drugs will help protect the thyroid gland against accumulation of radioactive isotopes. Currently, these medications are given to those who live within a radius of 20 km from the nuclear power plants. The authorities have decided to increase this distance to 100 km based on the location of nuclear power plants in Belgium and neighbouring countries, iodine tablets now needs the entire population of the Kingdom.
Experts have already appreciated the innovation, but recall that the distribution among Belgians of such drugs does not solve the problem. In the event of an accident release of radiation is too large, and therefore must adhere to the previously adopted schedule a stop and closing the plant.
Seven reactors at two stations in the country (“Dul” in the North and Tihange in the South) in recent years is a source of numerous problems. The period of operation of four of them already came to an end. Back in 2009, Belgium had to start the procedure of closing, but because of the financial crisis and the lack of other sources of energy was forced to postpone these plans for 10 years.
Recently, the authorities of the Kingdom at the request of the German government were forced to temporarily disable two nuclear reactor Tihange-2″ and “Dul-3” due to the discovery in the blocks cracking.
