Durham Region health officials are distributing replacement potassium iodide (KI) pills to residents living near the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations. These pills, originally distributed in 2015, are set to expire in 2027 and will be mailed automatically to residents within 10 km of the plants.
Residents living 10 to 50 km from the stations are advised to check their current KI supply and order replacements through preparetobesafe.ca before their pills expire. When receiving new pills, residents should dispose of expired KI packs responsibly at local pharmacies and recycle the exterior boxes at home.
Each KI pill contains 65 mg of potassium iodide, helping protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine and reducing the risk of thyroid cancer during a nuclear emergency. This protection is especially important for newborns, children, adolescents, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals. Pills should only be taken under instructions from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health during a nuclear emergency.
“The Durham Region health team is committed to community preparedness,” said Anthony Di Pietro, Director, Health Protection with Durham Region Health Department. “We encourage residents to replace expired pills and dispose of them responsibly.”
Limited supplies of KI pills are also available free at select local pharmacies in Durham Region, including:
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Bay Ridges Pharmacy, Pickering
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Pickering Medical Pharmacy
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Liverpool Pharmacy, Pickering
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Global Drug Mart Remedy’s Rx, Bowmanville
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Courtice Pharmasave, Courtice
For more information or to order KI pills online, visit preparetobesafe.ca or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.
This distribution effort is part of ongoing Durham Region health initiatives to ensure public safety and preparedness near nuclear generating stations.
