Residents of Ajax and other Durham communities near the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations should have received new potassium iodide (KI) pills in the mail by now, following the completion of a regional redistribution program.
Ontario Power Generation, working with the Durham Region Health Department and Toronto Emergency Management, mailed replacement KI packages earlier this year to every household within 10 kilometres of the two nuclear stations. The new pills replace supplies originally handed out in 2015 that are set to expire in 2027, according to a Region of Durham news release.
Much of Ajax falls within the 10-kilometre zone around the Pickering station, meaning many local households were among those to receive the updated packages.
Residents who have not received a package, have recently moved into the area, or need additional pills can order a supply at preparetobesafe.ca. The website also serves households within the broader 50-kilometre zone, which extends across much of the eastern GTA, who should check the expiry date on their current pills and order replacements if theirs are due to expire in 2027.
The region is asking residents to hold on to their old pills until the new supply arrives. Expired blister packs should be returned to a local pharmacy for safe disposal, while the outer cardboard packaging can go in regular household recycling. Like all medications, KI pills should never be flushed down toilets or drains.
The pills themselves contain 65 milligrams of potassium iodide, though packaging and manufacturers may vary. KI helps protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine in the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency — protection the region says is especially important for newborns, children, adolescents, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Pills should only be taken when directed by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health during a nuclear emergency.
The successful completion of the KI pill redistribution program reflects the strong partnership between Ontario Power Generation, Durham Region Health Department, and Toronto Emergency Management. We encourage residents to confirm that they have received their replacement supply of KI pills, dispose of expired KI pills safely, and continue to stay informed about emergency preparedness resources available through preparetobesafe.ca.
Anthony Di Pietro, director of health protection with the Durham Region Health Department, said that in the news release.
Where to get pills locally
A limited supply of KI pills is also available at select pharmacies that partner with the health department for local distribution. In Durham Region, those include Bay Ridges Pharmacy at 1794 Liverpool Rd. in Pickering, Pickering Medical Pharmacy at 1885 Glenanna Rd. in Pickering, Liverpool Pharmacy at 725 Krosno Blvd. in Pickering, Global Drug Mart Remedy's Rx at 130 Waverly Rd. in Bowmanville, and Courtice Pharmasave at 2727 Courtice Rd. in Courtice.
Residents with questions about ordering pills, eligibility, or emergency preparedness can visit preparetobesafe.ca or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729. Information is also available by calling myDurham 311 within regional boundaries, or 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729 from outside the region.
