Water Treatment using Iodine – TheWannabePrepper.com

Iodine can be used to treat water for consumption; however, Iodine does not sanitize water against Cryptosporidium oocysts. Iodine is physiologically active and has potential adverse health effects. Iodine has a poor taste, but can be counter-acted by Vitamin C.

IODINE to Treat Water

Filter water first; use only on clear water.
- (Cloudy water often requires higher/double concentrations of chemical to disinfect.)
Water temperature should be over 68o F (21o C).
- (You can place the water in the sun to warm it before treating.)
- (Else double treatment time.)
Add Iodine dosage to water (per liter).
- Iodine Topical Solution/ 2% / 8 drops
- Iodine Tincture / 2% / 8 drops
- Lugol’s Solution / 5% / 4 drops
- Povidone-Iodine (Betadine®) / 10% / 4 drops
- Tetraglycine hydroperiodide (Globaline, Portable Aqua, EDWGT) / 8mg / 1 tablet
Agitate water and let sit for 30 minutes AFTER dissolved.
- 30 mins for liquid iodine.
- 60 mins for iodine crystals.
Add Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid to iodized water AFTER sanitization to completely eliminate any taste or color of iodine.

WARNINGS:

Iodine Allergy is not uncommon; if allergic, do not use it as a form of water purification.
Persons with thyroid problems or on lithum, women over fifty, and pregnant women should consult their physician prior to using iodine for purification.
Some people who are allergic to shellfish are also allergic to iodine.

Vitamin C is can neutralize iodine’s ability to purify your water; only add AFTER water is fully purified!
Povidone Iodine is more shelf-stable than Lugol’s Iodine.

Show Notes:

General Chemical Treatment Procedures

The effectiveness of all chemical treatment of water is related to the temperature, pH level, and clarity of the water. Cloudy water often requires higher concentrations of chemical to disinfect.

If the water is cloudy or filled with large particles, strain it, using a cloth, before treatment. Large particles, if swallowed, may be purified only “on the outside.”

Add the chemical to the water and swish it around to aid in dissolving. Splash some of the water with the chemical onto the lid and the threads of the water bottle so that all water areas are treated.

The water should sit for at least 30 minutes after adding the chemical to allow purification to occur. If using tablets, let the water sit for 30 minutes after the tablet has dissolved.

The colder the water, the less effective the chemical is as a purifying agent. Research has shown that at 50o F (10o C), only 90 percent of Giardia cysts were inactivated after 30 minutes of exposure. If the water temperature is below 40o F (4o C), double the treatment time before drinking. It is best if water is at least 60o F (16o C) before treating. You can place the water in the sun to warm it before treating.

Chemically treated water can be made to taste better by pouring it back and forth between containers, after it has been adequately treated. Other methods include adding a pinch of salt per quart or adding flavorings (e.g., lemonade mix, etc.) after the chemical treatment period. (1)

Iodine for Water Treatment:

Iodine is light sensitive and must always be stored in a dark bottle. It works best if the water is over 68o F (21o C). Iodine has been shown to be more effect than chlorine-based treatments in inactivating Giardia cysts. Be aware that some people are allergic to iodine and cannot use it as a form of water purification. Persons with thyroid problems or on lithum, women over fifty, and pregnant women should consult their physician prior to using iodine for purification. Also, some people who are allergic to shellfish are also allergic to iodine. If someone cannot use iodine, use either a chlorine-based product or a non-iodine-based filter (1)

Generally, the procedure is as follows:

Liquid 2% Tincture of Iodine Add 5 drops per quart when the water is clear. Add 10 drops per quart when the water is cloudy.

Polar Pure Iodine Crystals Fill the Polar Pure bottle with water and shake. The solution will be ready for use in one hour. Add the number of capfuls (per quart of water treated) listed on the bottle, based on the temperature of the iodine solution. The particle trap prevents crystals from getting into the water being treated. It is important to note that you are using the iodine solution to treat the water, not the iodine crystals. The concentration of iodine in a crystal is poisonous and can burn tissue or eyes. Let the treated water stand for 30 minutes before drinking. In order to destroy Giardia cysts, the drinking water must be at least 68o F (20o C). The water can be warmed in the sun before treating or hot water can be added. Refill the treatment bottle after use so that the solution will be ready one hour later. Crystals in the bottle make enough solution to treat about 2,000 quarts. Discard the bottle when empty.

Potable Aqua This is an iodine tablet product. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. (1)

Fix the Taste Adding vitamin C (about 50 milligrams) to iodized water completely eliminates any taste or color of iodine. You must wait until the iodine has purified the water before adding the vitamin C. The vitamin C in drink mixes like Tang™ has the same effect. (1)

Iodine tastes bad – some people counter the taste by adding vitamin C, but you must be sure to add the vitamin C after the iodine has had time to be effective, Vitamin C is a de-halogen and can actually neutralize the iodine’s ability to purify your water (2)

Iodine effectiveness depends on the water temperature – iodine disperses slower in colder water

Iodine can lose effectiveness after a certain amount of time. Exposure to heat, humidity, moisture, and air will reduce the effectiveness of iodine tablets. (2)

Deterioration is evidenced by a change in the tablet color; metallic gray is acceptable, light yellow double the dose, and reddish brown discard. (3)

Lugol’s Iodine:

Lugol’s solution is widely used as an antiseptic and disinfectant or to treat thyrotoxicosis until surgery can be carried out. It is also used to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine, to treat iodine deficiency and to disinfect drinking water in an emergency. (7)

Lugol’s solution is commonly available in different potencies of (nominal) 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 10% or 15%. (7)

Lugol’s Iodineto treat Radiation:

Lugols 2% (4)

20 drops = 1mL = 65mg Iodine

130mg/2ml
Take with Liquid to prevent stomach upset.

5-10 drops per 32 fluid ounces (about 1 liter) of water. (13)

Povidone Iodine

Povidone Iodine 3.5-7 ml (7-14 drops) per liter.10 mg iodine per mL 10% solution

The stability of povidone-iodine solutions is much higher than that of iodine tincture or of Lugol’s solution. Aqueous solutions of the complex containing 2% available iodine were found to remain unchanged when stored for one year at room temperature. (8)

What is the difference between Povidone Iodine and Iodine? (9)

Definition of Povidone Iodine and Iodine

Iodine: Iodine is the chemical element of atomic number 53, a nonmetallic element forming black crystals and a violet vapor.

Providone-iodine: Povidone-iodine is an iodine based product which is used as an antiseptic solution.

Composition of Povidone Iodine and Iodine

Iodine: Iodine is a pure element, and it contains 100% iodine in its composition. It is found in solid form, grayish black small crystals with a metallic luster. Iodine can be obtained in all three forms; solid, liquid and gas. Liquid iodine is a dark purple colored solution, and iodine gas (I2) is a purple colored gas. Iodine has 37 known isotopes, but only 127I is stable.

Povidone-iodine: Povidone-iodine is a complex of iodine and povidone. It has from 9%-12% of iodine on the dry basis. The chemical formula of povidone-iodine is (C6H9NO)n·xI. (9)

When diluted to less than 1% povidone-iodine is widely accepted as a effective final pressure flush for high-risk wounds or wound packing. It can also be used to purify water for drinking; use 4-6 drops per liter and wait 30 minutes. Filter dirty water before treating. Wait one hour if the water is cold. (10)

The lowest disinfecting concentration of 10% PVI (Povidone Iodine) was the 1:1,000 dilution at 15 minutes of contact time. This supports the use of PVI for water disinfection against E. coli, the organism most commonly responsible for traveler’s diarrhea. Further studies may assess its effectiveness against more virulent water borne pathogens. (11)

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