Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

Potassium Iodide (KI) is a dry salt-like tablet. Its chemical symbol is KI, which represents a compound of Potassium (K) and Iodine (I). Iodine is used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones. Iodine normally enters the bloodstream from the food we eat. The thyroid is designed to absorb and store Iodine.

KI is also added to table salt ("iodized salt") to provide a source of dietary Iodine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies KI as a nonprescription drug, approved for over-the-counter sale, as a safe and effective method to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive Iodine (radioiodine).

In the event of a radiation emergency or accident that involves a release of radioactive Iodine, Potassium Iodide (KI) may be used to help prevent the risk of thyroid cancer. Local and state officials may ask citizens to evacuate or shelter-in-place as the primary public safety measure and use Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets as a supplemental protective measure in addition to evacuation or shelter-in-place.

Additional Potassium Iodide Links

For more information regarding South Carolina's KI policy or the state's radiological emergency response plans, contact:

Nuclear Response Section (NRS)
S.C. Department of Environmental Services
Nuclear Response and Emergency Environmental Surveillance
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Phone: 1-844-RAD-RESP (1-844-723-7377)

Tags
Disaster Preparedness
Radiation & Nuclear Safety