Sunday, September 25, 2011

Iodine--Pros and Cons (And How to Deal with the Cons)

Iodine is an amazing element and has many pros, or advantages. Iodine salts, also known as iodides, are used in photography and in dyes, and are often used as industrial catalysts to speed up a chemical reaction. Iodides are also used in the pharmaceutical fields, and are an important ingredient in some medicines. Iodine is even used in animal feed sometimes to improve the health of livestock! Iodine is also great for first aid and medicine. Iodine is often added to alcohol and is used to disinfect wounds. Elemental iodine is also used as a disinfectant! After nuclear disasters when radiation escaped into the air, iodine tablets are often distributed to people around the area. These iodine tablets help protect people from thyroid cancer. Iodine is even added to our food! Iodine is vital to humans, and if you don't ingest enough of it then your thyroid gland may swell, causing goiter. Iodine does have a few cons, however. Pure iodine can irritate the skin and eyes and ingesting large amounts may cause death, so always remember to wear goggles and gloves, and be sure to never ingest it!
Ian Anderson
September 25, 2011

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