Post by The Founder on Feb 5, 2014 16:20:02 GMT -5
The best form of iodine for water purification seems to be USP-grade resublimed iodine crystals. The crystals "sublime" from a solid to a gaseous state without passing through a liquid phase in between. A small pinch of iodine crystals (4-8 grams) can be re-used almost indefinitely for water purification. Just put the crystals in a one-ounce bottle with water and hold it in your hand to warm it up to body temperature until the water is saturated with iodine from the crystals. Then, using the cap from the one ounce bottle, add two caps full (about 10 cc) of this saturated water (but not the crystals) to your canteen for every quart or liter of volume. The temperature of the water in the canteen doesn't matter; it can be very warm or ice cold. But wait a good fifteen minutes for the iodine to kill everything before you have a drink.
Iodine crystals sound almost like alchemy at first, since the crystals can be re-used indefinitely. But I finally tried it myself, and the treated water certainly had the smell and flavor of water treated with tablets, although it was not nearly as strong. Apparently there is enough iodine in the water to do the job. The difference in taste may be simply that the iodine sublimes into a gaseous state, rather than dissolving into a liquid form. The iodine flavor becomes less and less noticeable the longer the water sits, suggesting that the iodine slowly escapes from the water.
Iodine crystals are nearly inert, but they will evaporate (sublime) into the air if the cap is left off the bottle. They will also completely sublime into water if placed in a large enough volume.
Iodine is light sensitive and must always be stored in a dark bottle. It works best if the water is over 68° F (21° C). The purpose for warming the water in the one ounce bottle is because the warmer water holds more iodine before reaching a state of saturation or "dynamic equilibrium" at which point the crystals stop dissolving. After pouring the saturated solution into your water bottle, then you can replace the water in the one ounce bottle so that you will have saturated iodine water ready when you need it to treat the next batch of drinking water. Iodine has been shown to be more effective than chlorine-based treatments in inactivating Giardia cysts. 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. Fill the bottle with some of the water to be treated, cap it, shake, and let it sit for a few minutes. Decant the solution ( not the crystals) into a one quart ( 1 litre) container holding water to be treated. Let the treated water stand for 30 minutes before drinking. In order to destroy Giardia cysts, the drinking water must be at least 68° F (20° C). 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, such as the PUR Hiker Microfilter, MSR WaterWorks, or the Katadyn Water Filter.
Always ensure the bottle is tightly capped, as iodine crystals sublime into the air quite quickly, and may stain surrounding items. They will also cause corroding of most metals. Leaving water in the bottle is okay, and will not create a superstrong solution. Any residual iodine aroma in the treated water may be neutralized by adding drink crystals containing vitamin C.
Iodine crystals sound almost like alchemy at first, since the crystals can be re-used indefinitely. But I finally tried it myself, and the treated water certainly had the smell and flavor of water treated with tablets, although it was not nearly as strong. Apparently there is enough iodine in the water to do the job. The difference in taste may be simply that the iodine sublimes into a gaseous state, rather than dissolving into a liquid form. The iodine flavor becomes less and less noticeable the longer the water sits, suggesting that the iodine slowly escapes from the water.
Iodine crystals are nearly inert, but they will evaporate (sublime) into the air if the cap is left off the bottle. They will also completely sublime into water if placed in a large enough volume.
Iodine is light sensitive and must always be stored in a dark bottle. It works best if the water is over 68° F (21° C). The purpose for warming the water in the one ounce bottle is because the warmer water holds more iodine before reaching a state of saturation or "dynamic equilibrium" at which point the crystals stop dissolving. After pouring the saturated solution into your water bottle, then you can replace the water in the one ounce bottle so that you will have saturated iodine water ready when you need it to treat the next batch of drinking water. Iodine has been shown to be more effective than chlorine-based treatments in inactivating Giardia cysts. 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. Fill the bottle with some of the water to be treated, cap it, shake, and let it sit for a few minutes. Decant the solution ( not the crystals) into a one quart ( 1 litre) container holding water to be treated. Let the treated water stand for 30 minutes before drinking. In order to destroy Giardia cysts, the drinking water must be at least 68° F (20° C). 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, such as the PUR Hiker Microfilter, MSR WaterWorks, or the Katadyn Water Filter.
Always ensure the bottle is tightly capped, as iodine crystals sublime into the air quite quickly, and may stain surrounding items. They will also cause corroding of most metals. Leaving water in the bottle is okay, and will not create a superstrong solution. Any residual iodine aroma in the treated water may be neutralized by adding drink crystals containing vitamin C.