Iodine question

[pvtcamo]

Hi, all.

I just bought an iodine 1% tincture (a.k.a. Betadine). My question is: how many drops in a liter of water to sterilize it, and for how long?

 

[Buckshot]

It should say on the side of the bottle.
I think the ones over here are about 3 per litre for 30 mins IIRC...

Mark

 

[Ahjno]

I thought I read somewhere you can't use Betadine for waterpurification, but I could be wrong! Thought it had to because Betadine is used for wounds and containing some other chemicals which made it not useable for water treatment.

If you use a (proper) iodine-solution, the amount you have to use depends on several factors:
- watertemp.
- the fact it being clear or not
- percentage of iodine
- etc.

 

[spiritofold]

I remember using iodine on some river water when i was a kid. I put loads in it, just to be sure. Made me spew my guts up....

 

[korvin karbon]

I remember using iodine on some river water when i was a kid. I put loads in it, just to be sure. Made me spew my guts up....

LOL, theres being safe and then to safe. Been there myself was not pleasant but i learned

 

[EdS]

http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/water.html

4 drops per litre

 

[ridge rover]

EdS gave a good link, but I think some one misread info somewhere.

Check the correct percentage on your bottle, then refer to the chart paying attention to the percentages. You may have to alter your dose.

The Cody Lundin books say "2% tinture of iodine per liter of water and let sit 30 minutes for temporate and clear water." The colder or dirtyer the water, add more iodine and/or contact time.

 

[practicalsurvivor]

I am not an expert in this area by far. However, I read several papers on iodine levels a while back. One thing they seem to agree on is using 8 PPM (parts per million). I was interested in the option of using sphagnum in an emergency. I purchased iodine strips. I was able to test the iodine levels before and after running the water through sphagnum.

This was one link I read where they used Iodine to treat water for the prison systems.

http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/sur...r-Purification-Chemical-Treatment-Iodine.html

http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Water/Water_FAQs3.html



"Iodine is normally used in doses of 8 PPM to treat clear water for a
10 minute contact time. The effectiveness of this dose has been shown
in numerous studies. Cloudy water needs twice as much iodine or twice
as much contact time. In cold water (Below 41 deg. F or 5 C) the dose
or time must also be doubled. In any case doubling the treatment
time will allow the use of half as much iodine"


Here in the US I have been using the polar pure crystals which is supposed to get the water to 5 PPM and I have not had any health issues. I am careful where I gather my water.

As far as iodine tincture, I found the following links a while back and put some information together on my page.

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_fs131

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY617

"Iodine. Iodine tablets and liquid iodine (Tincture of Iodine) can also be used to purify water. Again, read the label for recommended procedures. Tincture of Iodine usually contains 2.0% U.S.P. iodine. However, there is some variation in this product. In general, iodine has the disadvantage (compared to chlorine) in that it is not as effective over a wide range of pathogens and it imparts taste and a brown tint to the water. Thus, it should be used only when chlorine is not available."


Anyway sorry for the long post I guess what I should say is, I found more information by searching for "iodine water purification ppm". I hope this helps. In the end I still like to boil the water if at all possible. I have also used potassium permanganate ( Condy's Crystals or KMNO4 )

I wrote some of what I tested on my page.


Have a great day !