Role of iodine

Iodine

Introduction:

Iodine is a solid, non-metallic, dark-gray or purple-black substance. Iodine is the least reactive and the most electropositive halogen. Iodine is only marginally soluble in water, however it dissolves in other solvents, such as carbon tetrachloride.

A vitamin called iodine is necessary for healthy thyroid function as well as general wellbeing. It is necessary for the body's creation of thyroid hormones, which control metabolism and aid in growth and development, and is only needed in trace amounts.

Requirement:

Iodine is nevertheless regarded as a vital nutrient even though it is not a macronutrient because it is only needed in modest levels for overall health. It is typically advised that adults consume between 150 and 290 micrograms of iodine per day. However, this amount varies depending on age, gender, and other factors.

Food sources:

Seaweed, seafood, dairy products, and iodized salt are all excellent sources of iodine for human consumption. Iodine supplementation may be required in regions with a high prevalence of iodine deficiency in order to avoid conditions like goitre, cretinism, and intellectual impairment.

The uses of iodine

Iodine is used in tinctures and iodioform for medicinal treatments, in the creation of some printing inks and dyes, and in the preparation of some medications. In photography, silver iodine is employed. Almost all table salt has iodine added to it, and it is also used to enrich animal feed. Additionally, it is a component of water purification tablets that are used to prepare drinking water.

Iodine's function in the environment

Iodine is often added to any salt that is used. It is a component of bread, seafood, and plants that grow in the water. There is iodine in the ocean naturally, and some sea life and aquatic plants will store it in their tissues.

Iodine occurs naturally in soil, water, and air. The oceans are the most significant sources of natural iodine. Iodine escapes from the oceans in the form of sea spray, iodide, hydrichloric acid, and methyl iodide, which are all products of marine life. This amount totals about 400.000 tonnes every year. A large portion of it is dumped on land where it might enter the biocycle.

Effects of iodine on health

Iodine is an ingredient in numerous skin-wound medications and cleansers.

Iodine is a component of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for metabolism, nervous system function, and growth.

People who consume little to no bread may have iodine deficiency.

The thyroid gland will then begin to enlarge up and function will begin to slow down. Struma is the name for this occurrence. Given that table salt is now iodide-dosed, this illness is currently quite uncommon.

Iodine in large doses can be harmful because it causes the thyroid gland to work too quickly. This has an impact on the entire body; it results in irregular heartbeats and weight loss.

Iodine II, or elemental iodine, is poisonous and its vapour causes eye and lung irritation. When dealing with iodine, the maximum permissible concentration in air is just 1 mg m-3. If ingested in excess, all iodides are poisonous.

One of the radionuclides used in atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, which started in 1945 with a US test and ended in 1980 with a Chinese test, is iodine 131. It is one among the long-lived radionuclides that has boosted cancer risk and will do so for many decades or even centuries to come. Iodine 131 raises the risk of cancer, perhaps other thyroid conditions, and conditions brought on by a hormonal imbalance in the thyroid.

Environmental effects of Iodine:

Iodine's effects on the environment include its ability to interact with water molecules in the air and precipitate into water or soil. When iodine is present in soil, it will combine with organic matter and stay put for a very long time. These soils may allow iodine to be absorbed by plants. When cattle and other animals consume these plants, they will absorb iodine.

Iodine in surface water will evaporate as a result, returning to the atmosphere. By burning coal or fuel oil for energy, humans also contribute to the iodine gas in the air. But when compared to the quantity that vaporises from the oceans, the amount of iodine that enters the air through human activities is quite modest.

Radioactivity may exist in iodine. The radioactive isotopes are produced spontaneously during atmospheric chemical processes.

The majority of radioactive iodine isotopes have very brief half-lives and swiftly change into stable iodine compounds. One radioactive type of iodine, nevertheless, is extremely hazardous to the environment and has a half-life of millions of years. This isotope is produced in nuclear power reactors during the processing of uranium and plutonium, where it is released into the atmosphere. Large amounts of radioactive iodine have been released into the air as a result of accidents at nuclear power facilities.