Iodine For Purification

[Binxie]

Years ago you used to be able to buy little vials of Iodine from chemists, I had looked a while back for a chemist that still sold them but I couldn't find one. In any case, my idea was to use it as a means for water purification whilst out and about as it would seem a much more economical way of doing it then paying for the tablets.

Has anyone had any experience of using straight Iodine? I know obviously to use it extremely sparingly.

 

[andyn]

Iodine was banned for sale for water purification by the EU back in 2009. Many other products out on the market though.

 

[Binxie]

Banned? Why? The EU really does like to stick their noses in everything don't they.

 

[MartiniDave]

You can still get iodine tincture from most chemists, just don't tell them you want to purify water with it, they sell it for treating cuts and scrapes. Still works in water though!

Dave

 

[John Fenna]

I got in a good supply of iodine beads (Polar Pure type stuff) before the ban came in ... so I am pretty sorted!

 

[Bushwhacker]

Just make sure you know what strength the Iodine is and how many drops to apply per litre.

IIRC a 2% solution of Iodine requires 3 drops per litre.
If it's going straight in your water bottle, make sure you give it a good slosh all around the mouth hole and screwcap too, then leave it to stand for half an hour. It tastes rather faintly of Laphroaig whisky.

 

[IanM]

The EU has NOT banned Iodine for water purification.

The EU demands that any sales claims for drugs and chemicals are backed up by scientific proof under legislation known as REACH (not a bad thing in my opinion). No supplier/manufacturer will pay for the necessary documentation for Iodine as a purifier as it is expensive to obtain and the market is small. Also once documented any other supplier may piggyback on that proof and sell in competition. It is just not worth it with such a simple, long standing product, there is more money to be made in propitiatory or patented purifying chemicals.

No proof = No sales.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Banned? Why? The EU really does like to stick their noses in everything don't they.

Could be something to do with the health effects when used incorrectly & for too long a period on multi day hikes.

 

[bikething]

From what I remember, one of the senior guys on the panel that was involved in getting the legislastion approved also owns the company that makes steripens.

funny that...

 

[Hog On Ice]

well that is interesting that the EU has that sort of regulation - over here it is difficult to get iodine due to its use in illegal drug manufacturing (Methamphetamine, aka Meth)

 

[bikething]

well that is interesting that the EU has that sort of regulation - over here it is difficult to get iodine due to its use in illegal drug manufacturing (Methamphetamine, aka Meth)

Yep - that's why Polar Pure is not available now

 

[Binxie]

OK, so its still possible to get it for external use, that's OK then. If not I'l ask my missus to get some from the wholesaler for me (she is a vet.) If its impossible to get it from Chemists anymore I could possibly offer it here on the site if I can bulk buy.

 

[IanM]

It will come to the US eventually I suspect.

REACH, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals is an extension of RoHS, the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances which has been adopted over most of the world including the US, and you know how these things spread.

Both sets of regulations are reasonable but complex, so expensive for companies to implement but REACH should ensure that things like asbestos and thalidomide never get adopted in the future but the cost to society is high.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restriction_of_Hazardous_Substances_Directive

 

[Willowisp]

Does anyone have an idea what happens if I use too many drops of iodine in my water? Overdose? Poisoning?
So far I have only used micropur, but am aware that several people prefer the idodine solution.

 

[Hog On Ice]

well if you think there is too much iodine in the water just wait out the length of time needed to kill the micro organisms and then toss in some vitamin C to deactivate the iodine - it also makes the water taste better or so they say - note I don't use iodine so this is just other peoples opinions and passed on information

 

[oldtimer]

I've come across warnings about the use of iodine for long periods (how long is long?) and in combination with some medication. There is also apparently a link between shellfish allergy and allergy to iodine. My wife is allergic to shellfish and the only time I have treated water with iodine, she had a reaction. Runs in the mountains takes on a whole new meaning!
When we were living in the tropics in an area with poor water supply we used chlorine over a long period with no ill effects.
One of my sons was taken very ill in Wales through drinking untreated lake water and I take water purification seriously. When out and about nowadays I use commerciallly available chlorine based tablets. It sometimes tastes like drinking from a swimming pool, but better than getting sick.

There is a lot of quality information on water treatment available: much of it on this site.

 

[redbranchwarrior]

You can still buy Iodine branded as 'Videne', most chemists can order it for you, i use it as a contact steriliser for my home brewing.......

 

[Binxie]

Its ok. The missus can get me shed loads of the stuff lol. Should have thought of it earlier.

I know others have stated dosage before but whats the sort of amount you should be adding per litre? Roughly.

 

[Willowisp]

5 drops of 2% iodine solution per liter of water. That's the recommended dose.