January 2004
| Prussian blue dye Prussian blue dye, a mineral compound long used as a pigment by artists and industry, can help rid the body of certain radioactive contaminants. Radiogardase, a pharmaceutical grade of Prussian blue, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to speed excretion of radioactive cesium or thallium, and nonradioactive thallium, in people who have been contaminated by accident or exposed to radioactive materials from a "dirty bomb." Radiogardase is part of the National Stockpile of emergency drugs and is available by prescription only. Unlike potassium iodide, which people who live near nuclear power plants should keep on hand in case of nuclear accident or attack, Prussian blue is not recommended for the home medicine cabinet. A doctor needs to determine that the person has been exposed to cesium or thallium; dose and duration of treatment depend on the degree of contamination. Prussian blue artist’s dye is not intended to be taken internally. |
