EU ban will end walkers’ use of iodine
John McHale, Reporter
Thursday 13 August 2009 12:44 PM GMT
Generations of walkers and backpackers have used iodine to treat water taken from mountain streams
Generations of walkers and backpackers have used iodine to treat water taken from mountain streams
Iodine, for many years used by walkers and mountaineers to disinfect water, will be banned in the European Union from autumn.
The ban means that, from 25 October retailers will no longer be allowed to sell or supply for use the substance. Some equipment manufacturers will also need to modify their gear in response to the ban. Chlorine tablets will still be available for the purpose.
The ban affects all 27 EU countries and was taken in response to US Center for Disease Control advice which says iodine should only be consumed in controlled doses for no more than a few weeks.
Pregnant women and those with thyroid problems were always advised against using the substance.
Generations of outdoors enthusiasts, military personnel and travellers have used iodine, producing its telltale yellow colouring, to kill bugs in drinking water. Alternatives include, as mentioned, chlorine tablets, though these produce a strong ‘swimming bath’ taste in treated water; boiling and devices using ultra-violet light and filtering.
The main risks from drinking untreated water come from bacteria, viruses and parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium. There may also be chemicals present in water, though this is less likely in high mountain streams.
Industry insiders said the move could be followed by the United States and other countries.
Engtovo
Randy
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4 comments
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September 29, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Pop
So iodoral and another pills with iodine will be banned in EU?
September 29, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Engtovo
No one is sure Iodoral is manufactured and sold in the USA and some of the EU countries allow people to order over the internet and in other countries people have had problems with that. Now we have no idea what the effects will be. However here in the US elemental iodine which is one type in Iodoral (the other being potassium iodide) is already controlled due to the manufacturing of meth, and Iodoral and one ounce purchases of lugol’s solution are exempt from that ban. From what I understand potassium iodide by itself will not be controlled but who knows?
October 3, 2009 at 10:22 am
Pop
As I have read Iodine is banned in UE by the “Biocidal Product Directive”, so I htink it is banned only for biocical products. The directive: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biocides/
I hope Iodoral and Lugol will be no banned.
October 3, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Engtovo
I did read one story that talked about how hikers in Europe will no longer be able to use water purification kits that use iodine crystals to purify the water. I guess as more time goes by and people let us know what they can and cannot get we will know for sure. Before this ban in some European counties people already have trouble getting Lugol’s and in France several people have had their Iodoral taken by customs when the package arrived.