Scammers Hawking Pills to Capitalize on Radiation Fears, Feds Warn

Con artists are busy trying to convince frightened consumers to protect themselves with potassium iodide pills from the nuclear catastrophe unfolding in Japan, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

Potassium iodide can help prevent thyroid cancer, a major risk associated with contamination from radioactive iodine. However, the FTC notes, public health experts agree that U.S. residents should avoid taking potassium iodide unless instructed to do so by public health officials.