4. Iodine toxicity and environmental protection

Iodine is absorbed in the human body in the form of diiodotyrosine and triiodothyronine, which form thyroxine, which is stored as thyroglobulin. Thyroxine controls primary metabolism by regulating enzymatic activity. It is therefore essential for higher animals and humans, whose bodies require around 75 mg of iodine per year. Goiter is caused by iodine deficiency, and chronic deficiency is thought to be the cause of a form of cretinism [9] . Iodine-deficient soils expose populations to these disorders. However, iodine is toxic in high doses. It can be handled at room temperature, due to its low vapor pressure. However, while it presents no danger when in containers, precautions must be taken when it is handled in bulk (rubber gloves and accessories, safety goggles and even, in some cases, gas masks). The maximum vapour concentration...