Narrator: What are the 55 million anti-radiation pills sent to Ukraine, and how will shielding be made in the event of a nuclear attack? – Russia Ukraine War News European Union Anti-Radiation Tablet Potassium Iodide Tablets Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant NTC

Russia-Ukraine War: It has been more than 6 months since the war between Russia and Ukraine. But the struggle has not come to an end yet. Meanwhile, the European Union is now sending anti-radiation medicine to Ukraine to deal with a nuclear accident. This is because Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant is still occupied by the Russian military.

The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, was captured by the Russian army a week after the start of the war. There is always the risk of a nuclear accident or radiation leak here due to the presence of the Russian military.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian military’s seizure of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was even more dangerous and dangerous. They have demanded that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visit the plant as soon as possible. Zelensky fears that if the reactors are shut down by any action by the Russian military, there could be another major accident here.

This is why 55 lakh doses of radiation medicine are now being sent to Ukraine. The European Union has issued a press release saying it is sending 5.5 million potassium iodide tablets to Ukraine amid fears of a nuclear accident. Of this, 50 lakhs are sent to the European Union and 5 lakhs to Austria. It costs 5 lakh Euros (about Rs. 4 crore).

What is this drug?

Radiation is emitted from a nuclear reactor accident or nuclear attack. In the event of a nuclear attack, it is almost impossible to survive. But it can be avoided if there is a nuclear accident and a radiation leak. This medicine comes in handy.

This medicine is potassium iodide, which prevents the release of radioactive iodine from the body. After taking this drug, the thyroid gland is blocked, due to which radioactive iodine cannot get inside. The thyroid gland is very sensitive.

How does this drug work?

Iodine is very important for our body. This iodine is stored in the thyroid gland. When radiation is emitted, radioactive iodine is released. Because the thyroid gland is so sensitive, it cannot distinguish between non-radioactive iodine and radioactive iodine.

When radiation leaks, radioactive iodine enters the body through breathing or food. When this happens, the radiation spreads into the body. This medicine of potassium iodide inhibits the thyroid gland so that radioactive iodine does not accumulate and radiation is avoided.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), potassium iodide can be taken before and after radiation exposure. This drug causes the accumulation of iodine in the thyroid gland. In such a situation, even if the radioactive iodine leaks out, it cannot be deposited in the thyroid gland.

How important is this drug?

When radioactive iodine is released, it can interact with the body in two ways. First external and second internal. During external exposure, this radioactive iodine accumulates on the skin, which can be removed with soap or warm water.

But in internal interactions, it accumulates in the thyroid gland and increases the risk of thyroid cancer. Children are at greater risk.

According to the WHO, an accident occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986. Because of this, radioactive iodine entered the body of children through milk and food. Because of this, thyroid cancers have also been reported in children as young as 4 to 5 years of age.

How important is the Zephyrasia power plant?

– The Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant was built between 1984 and 1995. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the 9th largest nuclear power plant in the world.

This power plant has 6 reactors. Each reactor produces 950 MW of electricity, while the combined power generation is 5,700 MW. It produces 25 percent of Ukraine’s electricity.

– The power plant is located in the city of Enerhodar, near the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The plant is located 200 km from the Donbas province and 550 km from the capital Kyiv.