Short answer. In Taiwan, local governments buy and pre-distribute potassium iodide (KI) tablets to residents aged 40 or under who are registered in nuclear power plant emergency planning zones: 2 days' supply kept at home and 2 more days stored centrally 1. KI is not on general sale, and it must be taken only when the government orders it 23.
Who receives iodine tablets in Taiwan?
Under the Nuclear Safety Commission's rules on storing, distributing, replacing and destroying iodine tablets 1:
- Residents registered in an emergency planning zone, aged 40 or under: 2 days' supply pre-distributed to keep at home; 2 more days held by local health authorities (health stations, hospitals).
- People who work in the zone but are not registered there: may apply case by case.
- Lost or expired tablets: can be replaced.
The zones cover the administrative villages within the emergency planning zones of the nuclear power plants; the storage sites listed are in New Taipei City, Keelung City and Pingtung County 1.
Can I buy iodine tablets in Taiwan?
Not on general sale. In 2004 the health authority agreed to list KI as a non-prescription drug "limited to use by competent units or agencies": "本署同意碘化鉀（碘片）以非處方藥列管，惟限於權責單位或機關使用" 12.
When should iodine tablets be taken?
Only on government order. The order comes from the Central Disaster Response Center through TV, radio and loudspeakers 2. Tablets work best taken before a release of radioactive iodine, up to 6 hours after it 2. The public guide is explicit: "碘片屬於藥品，請勿擅自服用" — iodine tablets are medicines; do not take them on your own 3.
What about adults over 40?
The Food and Drug Administration advised against use by adults over 40 unless exposure exceeds 5 Gy 2. For what grays and sieverts mean, see /guides/radiation-units.
What else should I do in a nuclear accident?
The general science of KI is in /guides/potassium-iodide. During a nuclear accident alarm, the guide's first actions are to go indoors, close doors and windows, and set air conditioning to recirculate 3 (see alerts and /guides/shelter-or-evacuate).
Who do I contact about a nuclear incident?
The Nuclear Safety Commission handles nuclear emergencies and iodine tablets; its 24-hour line 0800-088-928 is for reporting nuclear or radiation incidents only 2. Other numbers are on the emergency contacts page.
Frequently asked questions
I live near a nuclear plant and I am over 40. Will I get tablets?
Pre-distribution covers registered residents aged 40 or under 1, and the FDA advised against use above 40 unless exposure exceeds 5 Gy 2.
My tablets have expired. What do I do?
The rules provide for replacing lost or expired tablets 1. Ask your local health authority.
Should I take a tablet as soon as I hear the nuclear alarm?
No. Wait for the government order, broadcast on TV, radio and loudspeakers 23.
Sources
- 核能安全委員會 — 碘片儲存、發放、補發及銷毀作業要點 — https://erss.nusc.gov.tw/law/LawContent.aspx?id=GL000135 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 核能安全委員會 — 如何知道發生核子事故?含碘片使用說明 — https://www.nusc.gov.tw/%E7%B7%8A%E6%80%A5%E6%87%89%E8%AE%8A/%E6%88%91%E8%A9%B2%E6%80%8E%E9%BA%BC%E5%81%9A/%E5%A6%82%E4%BD%95%E7%9F%A5%E9%81%93%E7%99%BC%E7%94%9F%E6%A0%B8%E5%AD%90%E4%BA%8B%E6%95%85%EF%BC%9F%E5%90%AB%E7%A2%98%E7%89%87%E4%BD%BF%E7%94%A8%E8%AA%AA%E6%98%8E--5_41_878.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 國防部全民防衛動員署 — 災害應對 - 臺灣全民安全指引 — https://prepare.mnd.gov.tw/emergency-responses (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Taiwan, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- 核能安全委員會 · 碘片儲存、發放、補發及銷毀作業要點 checked 2026-10-20
- 核能安全委員會 · 如何知道發生核子事故?含碘片使用說明 checked 2026-10-20
- 國防部全民防衛動員署 · 災害應對 - 臺灣全民安全指引 checked 2026-10-20