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Lugol's iodine, also known as Lugol's solution, first made in 1829, is a solution of iodine named after the French physician J.G.A. Lugol. Lugol's iodine solution is often used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, a starch indicator, to replenish iodine deficiency, to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive materials (e.g. "fallout"), and for emergency disinfection of drinking water. *
It consists of 5% iodine (I2) and 10% potassium iodide (KI) in distilled water with total iodine content of 130 mg/mL. Potassium iodide is added to render the iodine water-soluble. This solution is also used as an indicator to test for the presence of starches in organic compounds (turns a dark-blue/black).
Other names for Lugol's solution are IKI (Iodine Potassium-Iodide); Iodine, Strong solution (Systemic); Aqueous Iodine Solution BP.
It can be used as a cell stain, making the cell nuclei more visible.
Applications
Historically, Lugol's was widely available and used for a number of health problems with some precautions Lugol's is sometimes prescribed in a variety of alternative medical treatments[http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-05/IOD_05.html. Lugol's solution is now only available by prescription in the USA and Canada.
Following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in April 1986, Lugol's iodine was given to 10.5 million children and 7 million adults in Poland *, as a remedy to the possible accumulation of radioactive iodine-131 in the thyroid.
See also
Antiseptics | Disinfectants | Staining dyes | Iodine
Lugolsche Lösung | Lugol | Solution de lugol | Lugol | Płyn Lugola
"Lugol's iodine"