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In simple terms, iodine can help someone to avoid radiation damage to the thyroid if that person is exposed to radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine is one of the fission products that is released in a nuclear meltdown. If this material escapes into the atmosphere, individuals nearby may be exposed and take in radioactive iodine. Since iodine will collect in the thyroid, if iodine is taken before or upon exposure, the iodine a person took will "take up space" in the thyroid and the radioactive iodine won't be able to "move in" and collect in the thyroid and cause radiation damage.

Taking iodine is a way to minimize a specific type of radiation poisoning. As radioactive iodine is a fission product, it can only appear as a result of an accident involving spent nuclear fuel. The nuclear meltdown is the most probable cause of the release of fission products, and there are a number of very hazardous fission products other than iodine. It is a good idea to reduce exposure by reducing exposure time, increasing the distance a person is from a source, or setting up some kind of shielding.

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