Tincture of iodine

Tincture of iodine is 3% elemental iodinein ethanol. It is an essential component of any emergency survival kit, used both to disinfect wounds and to sanitize surface water for drinking.

When alcohol solution is not desirable, Lugol's iodine, an aqueous solution of iodine in potassium iodidesolution, or Betadine, a PVPI solution, can be used.

It can also be used to detect and treat iodine deficiency which can lead to hypothyroidism.

It should be noted that iodine is toxic; children and pregnant women, who are more sensitive to it, should avoid use.

When using iodine to sanitize surface water, it should be left to sit for 30 minutes before drinking, allowing time for all viruses and bacteria to be killed. If the water temperature is less than 20°C (68°F), sitting time should be extended to several hours. To purify 1 L (34 oz) of water, 0.3 mL (0.01 oz) of 2% tincture should be used. Cold or cloudy water should be given 2.4 mL (0.08 oz) of 2% iodine, and should be left to sit for several hours.

Iodine used to sanitize water is also available in tablet or crystal form. One form or another should be available at health stores, and trip outfitters.

External links

Health Canada Information on Water Filtration

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tincture+of+iodine Wikipedia article Tincture of iodine.