Uses For Iodine Crystals

Iodine is a natural chemical substance that is useful and necessary for a healthy lifestyle. This substance can be found in a solid crystalline form or as a gas--it has no liquid state. The crystals sublimate directly from a solid form to a gaseous form. This useful chemical has applications in the worlds of medicine, science and business.

Tincture of Iodine

For many years tincture of iodine has been used to treat wounds via direct application to the injury. Tincture of iodine is made by mixing crystalline iodine with alcohol and water to form a powerful antiseptic.

Surgical procedure includes prepping the incision site by scrubbing with iodine solution. According to Dr. Donald W. Miller, Jr., M.D., iodine kills 90 percent of bacteria on the skin within 90 seconds of application.

Cleaning Water

Iodine crystals are the best type of disinfectant for drinking water. Hikers and backpackers can carry the crystals to disinfect drinking water. Because the crystalline form of iodine remains potent for a long time, the crystals are also well suited for water treatment in areas of the world lacking in quality water-treatment facilities. These crystals helps prevent thousands of deaths due to contaminated drinking water.

Prevention of Hypothyroidism

Iodine deficiency can cause serious health problems. Hypothyroidism, cretinism and an enlarged thyroid gland all result from iodine deficiency. Cretinism is a now-rare form of mental retardation caused by lack of iodine in the fetus.

Iodine crystals mixed with sodium chloride (table salt) are the best and easiest to obtain source of dietary iodine. The National Institutes of Health states that 1/4 tsp. iodized salt provides nearly a whole day's supply of iodine. Ocean fish is a good source as well.

Money Pen

Store clerks often pull out small markers and make marks on $20 bills or higher denominations. They are using counterfeit money-testing pens, which work by diluting iodine crystals and potassium iodide in ink.

The iodine in the ink reacts with the fiber materials in the paper. Legitimate currency has cotton fiber paper, and the pen will not cause a color change on the money. Counterfeit money is printed on wood fiber paper, and the iodine in the ink reacts with the starches in the paper to leave a dark brown or black mark on the paper.

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