NEW YORK (AP) — The war in Ukraine has heightened fears about nuclear exposure — and interest in iodine pills that can help protect the body from some radiation. These pills contain potassium iodide, which helps the body block a specific type of exposure. They prevent the thyroid gland from picking up radioactive iodine, which can lead to a higher risk of cancer. But the pills can’t protect against other types of radiation from nuclear accidents or attacks. And health authorities warn that they shouldn’t be taken just as a precaution — only when there’s a real risk of exposure.
EXPLAINER: How iodine tablets block some nuclear radiation
