Wayne Central High School

The Wayne Central District school buildings are located within the ten-mile emergency planning zone of the Ginna nuclear power plant.

Potassium Iodide (KI) is an element that protects the thyroid from exposure to radioiodine emitted during a radiation release. The thyroid gland is particularly susceptible to radiation and such an exposure may cause cancer. KI only protects this one organ against radioactive substance. It is not an alternative to evacuation or sheltering.

Should the County and/or State Department of Health recommend the use of KI during a radiological emergency while students are at school, the Wayne Central School District has KI available on-site for your child. Evacuation from the ten-mile zone remains our primary protective radiological action. In the event that evacuation is not immediately possible and/or KI use is recommended by the County and/or State health officials, KI will be provided to your child.

Parents/guardians are given the opportunity to opt-out of having their child receive KI at the time of school registration. If no opt-out form is received, your child will receive KI as recommended by the CDC. There are very few reasons someone should not take potassium iodide. If you signed the form not realizing that it was an opt-out form and you do want your child to receive KI or you are not sure whether you signed or not, please contact your child's school nurse.

If you have any concerns regarding the emergency use of KI or questions on your child’s health and the use of KI, please discuss this with your child’s health care provider.

Resources where you may get more information are available by clicking on each title below:

• From the New York State Department of Health: Radiation Emergencies
• From the FDA: Frequently Asked Questions on Potassium Iodide (KI)