Iodine Research Paper

Iodine is a metallic grey element found in the halogen part of the periodic table. In the early 1900s, many people in the U.S. were suffering from Iodine deficiencies which caused all sorts of health complications. The decision to add iodine to salt was made to remedy these deficiencies and the problems associated with them. Salt was picked as a host for the iodine, because of its widespread use and the ease at which iodine could be added. This decision did not come without a cost and today the consumers of iodized salt experience numerous problems brought on by the food additive.

The primary reason iodine is added to salt is because it fixed a major health problem, Goiter. Goiter occurs when the thyroid gland swells up in order to get iodine more easily. Iodine allows the thyroid to function properly and a lack of the element is the primary cause of Goiter. Iodine is also very important for infants to have in the early stages of their development. Failure to do so will make the baby catch all sorts of health and developmental problems. In order to prevent all these problems, humans have to get the daily recommended intake of iodine, 150mcg. Most people today get a substantial amount of iodine, however iodine intake in the United States …show more content…
government requested salt companies to iodize their salt in 1924. This decision was influenced by the alarmingly high rates of Goiter in America. The most affected areas were the Pacific Northwest and those around the Great Lakes. The reason for this, is because there are low iodine levels in the soil and a lack of iodine rich foods in the area. This iodization was borrowed from the Swiss who were adding iodine to their cooking salt. The University of Michigan was the first U.S. facility to test this practice and after great success, it was adopted by salt companies around the country. Iodization was a cheap method of preventing health issues and so was a fast spreading practice in the 1920s continued into present