This would also depend on certain factors which we hope to research.
For instance, how long iodine remains present in the body after consumption? We intend to test blood at certain periods of time after iodine is consumed and therefore , see how long it takes for the iodine to disappear.
How much iodine can the body handle at one time? At present the EC do not have regulations regarding the maximum amount of iodine that can be added to foods. (Does this mean that they have not get determined what the maximum intake of iodide is?)
If very little iodine is excreted, then iodine intake must be taken in small quantities and infrequently. On the other hand, it could be that iodine is excreted quickly and that the body does not store iodine for very long . If this was the case, the public could include a lot more of the foods recommended in their diets and so build up the quantity of iodine in their thyroid glands until the necessary amount for thyroid blocking was present.
Since we could not acquire some of the information above, we cannot yet decide which option is best.
We feel that there is not enough research done in this area and we do think that there is much further research to do in this area. We recommend that the government investigate the possibility of increasing iodine intake in the diets of the Irish people more thoroughly as part of their Nuclear Emergency plan.