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Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (1997) 6(2): 95

Iodine content of salt in the Union Territory of
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Umesh Kapil MD(Com Med), MG Karmarkar* PhD(Biochem), G Goindi MSc(Nutr), D Nayar MSc(Nutr)

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Departments of Human Nutrition and Laboratory Medicine*, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India

Iodine is an essential micronutrient, deficiency of which causes a number of disorders including goitre and cretinism. Inadequate data are available on the iodine content of salt consumed by beneficiaries in Andaman and Nicobar islands. A systematic study was therefore, undertaken to assess the iodine content of salt to initiate intervention measures, if required, to improve the quality of salt. A total of 275 salt samples, collected from equal number of households constituted the study sample. It was found that 57.1% of the salt samples had an iodine content of 15 ppm and above, 16% had between 10 ppm to <15 ppm, 26.5% had less than 10 ppm and only one salt sample had nil iodine content. The results of the study indicate that there is a need for further strengthening and monitoring of the quality of iodised salt procured and distributed by traders in the Union territory in order to combat iodine deficiency disorders.

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Introduction

Iodine is an essential micronutrient, deficiency of which causes a number of disorders including goitre and cretinism¹. A continuous deficient intake of iodine causes many crippling defects in children such as mental retardation, stunted growth, neuro-muscular disorder, speech and/or hearing defects². The majority of these disorders are permanent, but are preventable by regular consumption of iodised salt which provides the recommended quantity of iodine¹.

Inadequate data are available on the iodine content of salt in Andaman and Nicobar islands. Therefore, a systematic study was undertaken.

Materials and methods

Seven government schools, located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in which students from all parts of the islands were studying, were selected by purposive sampling, keeping in view operational feasibility.

All students in the sixth to eighth standard grades were briefed about the aim of the study, in their respective class rooms. The students were requested to bring 15g of salt from their households in autoseal polythene packets. The identification data, name, age and place of residence of students was documented. The salt samples collected were analysed using the standard iodometric titration meth 1000 od³. Ten percent of samples were sent to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) iodine testing laboratory for quality control.

Results and discussion

A total of 275 salt samples were collected from an equal number of households. It was found that all families consumed powdered salt. The results of iodine estimation of salt revealed that 57.1% of the salt samples had an iodine content of more than 15 ppm while 42.9% of the salt samples had less than 15ppm of iodine. On detailed analysis it was found that 16% of salt samples had iodine content between 10 ppm to <15 ppm. Further analysis revealed that 26.5% of salt samples had less than 10 ppm of iodine. It was found that only one salt sample had nil iodine content (Table 1). The iodine content of all salt samples analysed at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) iodine testing laboratory for quality control, were within 10% of the values obtained at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, which provided the research infrastructure for this project.

The results of the study indicate that there is a need for further monitoring of the quality of iodised salt produced at the manufacturer level in order to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

Table 1. Prevalence of iodine contents of salt (n = 275).

Iodine Content (ppm)
Nil		0-10		10 - < 15		³ 15
No	%	No	%	No	%	No	%
1	0.36	73	26.54	44	16.00	157	57.10< 6d2 /font>

References

1. Mahesh DL, Deosthale YG, Narasingha Rao BS. Iodine content of foods and water from goiter and non-endemic areas. In: Karmakar MG, Pandav CS and Ahuja MMS. Eds . Environment, genetics and thyroid disorders . New Delhi: Sona printers 1990: 127-132.
2. Tyabji R, Karmarkar MG, Pandav CS, Carriere CR, Acharya S. The use of iodated salt in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders: New Delhi, UNICEF ROSCA publication 1990; 18-32.
3. printing work, 1986; 1-3.Karmrakar MG, Pandav CS, Krishnamachari KAVR. Principle and procedure for iodine estimation and laboratory manual. Indian Council of Med Res, New Delhi: Gidson

Copyright © 1997 [Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition]. All rights reserved.
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