Stocks of iodine have been flying off the shelves in Europe due to fears that it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia invades Ukraine and causes a nuclear incident.

As Russian forces seized the defunct Chernobyl nuclear site and damaged Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest nuclear plant, France said it would send 2.5 million doses of the chemical compound to Ukraine.

The following facts about iodine will help you understand the hype around it.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-refugee-crisis-raises-other-concerns-feeling-women-minors-may-be-targetted-for-trafficking-462747" hreflang="en">Ukraine refugee crisis raises other concerns; fleeing women &amp; minors may be targetted for trafficking</a>

What is iodine?&nbsp;

The thyroid gland in the neck produces hormones that are crucial for brain development and vital bodily functions thanks to stable iodine -- potassium iodide. Since the body cannot produce iodine, it is essential to our diet.

Can iodine help in a nuclear accident?&nbsp;

In a catastrophic nuclear accident, radioactive iodine would be released into the atmosphere. Inhalation or consumption of contaminated iodine via food can increase the risks of thyroid cancer, as was observed after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.

Iodine tablets containing stable, non-radioactive iodine prevent the thyroid gland from concentrating radioactive iodine. After becoming saturated with stable iodine, the gland can no longer capture the radioactive element, which is then flushed out of the body naturally through urine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jumping-the-gun-as-calls-for-its-expulsion-grow-russia-announces-ruxit-from-council-of-europe-462722" hreflang="en">Jumping the gun: As calls for its expulsion grow, Russia announces 'Ruxit'&nbsp;from Council of Europe</a>

Is iodine effective in all circumstances?

Taking Iodine tablets will not protect you from other forms of radiation, nor will they provide immunity from it. These tablets are not permanent cures.

Are there any specialist recommendations?&nbsp;

French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) notes that iodine protects only the thyroid and that the most crucial action following a nuclear accident is to take shelter in a hard building.

In addition, the tablets must be taken at specific times -- ideally, one hour before exposure to radiation and, at the latest, six to twelve hours after exposure.

Pregnant women, babies, children, and young people are especially encouraged to use these products.

"There is no point in taking iodine tablets as a prophylactic," the ASN warned. "It's pointless and it can cause undesirable effects or allergies."

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Does Putin really want to stop this war or not?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-crisis-does-putin-really-want-to-stop-this-war-or-not-462790/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

What are the possible side effects?

Too much iodine can damage the kidneys and heart and cause the thyroid to malfunction.&nbsp;

Croatian doctors warned last week against iodine consumption without proper precautions.

Are iodine pills readily available?&nbsp;

Iodine tablets must be prescribed by a physician. They are not available over the counter.

Stocks of iodine have been flying off the shelves in Europe due to fears that it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia invades Ukraine and causes a nuclear incident.

Stocks of iodine have been flying off the shelves in Europe due to fears that it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia invades Ukraine and causes a nuclear incident. As Russian forces seized the defunct Chernobyl nuclear site and damaged Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest nuclear plant, France said it would send 2.5 million doses of the chemical compound to Ukraine. The following facts about iodine will help you understand the hype around it. Also read | Ukraine refugee crisis raises other concerns; fleeing women & minors may be targetted for trafficking What is iodine? The thyroid gland in the neck produces hormones that are crucial for brain development and vital bodily functions thanks to stable iodine -- potassium iodide. Since the body cannot produce iodine, it is essential to our diet. Can iodine help in a nuclear accident? In a catastrophic nuclear accident, radioactive iodine would be released into the atmosphere. Inhalation or consumption of contaminated iodine via food can increase the risks of thyroid cancer, as was observed after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. Iodine tablets containing stable, non-radioactive iodine prevent the thyroid gland from concentrating radioactive iodine. After becoming saturated with stable iodine, the gland can no longer capture the radioactive element, which is then flushed out of the body naturally through urine. Also read | Jumping the gun: As calls for its expulsion grow, Russia announces 'Ruxit' from Council of Europe Is iodine effective in all circumstances? Taking Iodine tablets will not protect you from other forms of radiation, nor will they provide immunity from it. These tablets are not permanent cures. Are there any specialist recommendations? French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) notes that iodine protects only the thyroid and that the most crucial action following a nuclear accident is to take shelter in a hard building. In addition, the tablets must be taken at specific times -- ideally, one hour before exposure to radiation and, at the latest, six to twelve hours after exposure. Pregnant women, babies, children, and young people are especially encouraged to use these products. "There is no point in taking iodine tablets as a prophylactic," the ASN warned. "It's pointless and it can cause undesirable effects or allergies." Watch | Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Does Putin really want to stop this war or not? What are the possible side effects? Too much iodine can damage the kidneys and heart and cause the thyroid to malfunction. Croatian doctors warned last week against iodine consumption without proper precautions. Are iodine pills readily available? Iodine tablets must be prescribed by a physician. They are not available over the counter.

Explainer: Iodine tablets for nuclear risk. Why is Europe rushing to buy this tablet?

Russia has been accused of genocide in Ukraine, the ultimate war crime. However, genocide has a specific legal definition and to date has only been proven in court a few times.

Let's find out more.

What exactly is genocide?

According to the 1948 Genocide Convention, it is defined as crimes done with the goal to eliminate, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.

Killing members of a group, causing substantial bodily or mental injury to them, establishing conditions meant to destroy them, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children to other groups are all examples of genocide.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-armenia-to-myanmar-accusations-of-genocide-in-the-past-464634">From Armenia to Myanmar: Accusations of genocide in the past</a>

What criteria are used to determine genocide?

Prosecutors must first show that the victims were members of a distinct national, ethnic, racial, or religious group in order to prove genocide. This rule does not apply to organisations targeted based on their political ideas.

"Genocide is a difficult crime to prove. Parties have to bring a lot to the table," explained Melanie O'Brien, head of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, citing the combined need of demonstrating intent, targeting a protected group, and crimes such as murder or forcible removal of minors.

Who made the allegation against Russia?

Multiple people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden and even UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have accused Russian forces of genocide, citing evidence of rape, torture, and executions in districts near Kyiv regained by Ukrainian troops earlier this month.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine war: Russian acts in Ukraine amounts to 'genocide', says Joe Biden

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-war-russian-acts-in-ukraine-amounts-to-genocide-says-joe-biden-470995/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Yes, I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian and the evidence is mounting," said Biden.

The scope of the horrors "doesn't look far short of genocide," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned last week.

What is Russia's response to these accusations?

Moscow claims the West fabricated evidence to defame its troops, calling the war on its smaller neighbour "a special operation" to stop genocide against Russian speakers in Ukraine.

Will the&nbsp;allegations against Russia&nbsp;be investigated?

In February, the International Criminal Court launched a probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. It has authority over genocide as well.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-icj-ukraine-and-russia-to-fight-again-but-over-genocide-claim-459711">At ICJ, Ukraine and Russia to fight again but over ‘genocide claim’</a>

Are there any old cases of genocide?

Yes, the international courts have had three cases meet their threshold:

-The Cambodian Khmer Rouge slaughter of&nbsp;minority Cham and Vietnamese people in the 1970s. An estimated&nbsp;1.7 million people were murdered in this genocide.

-&nbsp;Rwanda's mass massacre of Tutsis in 1994, which resulted in the deaths of 800,000 people.

-The 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which claimed the lives of 8,000 Muslim men and boys.

Since the 1990s, the US administration has declared genocide in seven situations: Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq, Sudan's Darfur area, Islamic State's massacres, particularly against the Yezidi, Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, and China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Only time will tell if the Russian violence against Ukraine will be categorized as a 'genocide'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia has been accused of genocide in Ukraine, the ultimate war crime. However, genocide has a specific legal definition and to date has only been proven in court a few times.

Russia has been accused of genocide in Ukraine, the ultimate war crime. However, genocide has a specific legal definition and to date has only been proven in court a few times. Let's find out more. What exactly is genocide? According to the 1948 Genocide Convention, it is defined as crimes done with the goal to eliminate, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. Killing members of a group, causing substantial bodily or mental injury to them, establishing conditions meant to destroy them, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children to other groups are all examples of genocide. Also read | From Armenia to Myanmar: Accusations of genocide in the past What criteria are used to determine genocide? Prosecutors must first show that the victims were members of a distinct national, ethnic, racial, or religious group in order to prove genocide. This rule does not apply to organisations targeted based on their political ideas. "Genocide is a difficult crime to prove. Parties have to bring a lot to the table," explained Melanie O'Brien, head of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, citing the combined need of demonstrating intent, targeting a protected group, and crimes such as murder or forcible removal of minors. Who made the allegation against Russia? Multiple people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden and even UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have accused Russian forces of genocide, citing evidence of rape, torture, and executions in districts near Kyiv regained by Ukrainian troops earlier this month. Watch | Ukraine war: Russian acts in Ukraine amounts to 'genocide', says Joe Biden "Yes, I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian and the evidence is mounting," said Biden. The scope of the horrors "doesn't look far short of genocide," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned last week. What is Russia's response to these accusations? Moscow claims the West fabricated evidence to defame its troops, calling the war on its smaller neighbour "a special operation" to stop genocide against Russian speakers in Ukraine. Will the allegations against Russia be investigated? In February, the International Criminal Court launched a probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. It has authority over genocide as well. Also read | At ICJ, Ukraine and Russia to fight again but over ‘genocide claim’ Are there any old cases of genocide? Yes, the international courts have had three cases meet their threshold: -The Cambodian Khmer Rouge slaughter of minority Cham and Vietnamese people in the 1970s. An estimated 1.7 million people were murdered in this genocide. - Rwanda's mass massacre of Tutsis in 1994, which resulted in the deaths of 800,000 people. -The 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which claimed the lives of 8,000 Muslim men and boys. Since the 1990s, the US administration has declared genocide in seven situations: Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq, Sudan's Darfur area, Islamic State's massacres, particularly against the Yezidi, Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, and China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Only time will tell if the Russian violence against Ukraine will be categorized as a 'genocide'. (With inputs from agencies)

WION explains: The ultimate, yet hard to prove war crime called 'genocide'

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Explainer: Iodine tablets for nuclear risk. Why is Europe rushing to buy this tablet?

WION explains: The ultimate, yet hard to prove war crime called 'genocide'