Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (1995) 4:257-258
Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (1995) 4:257-258
Iodine content of salt in National
Capital Territory of Delhi
U Kapil, S Bhasin, G Goindi, D Nayar
Department of Human Nutrition, All
India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute a major
public health problem in India. The most commonly used method of
prophylaxis against iodine deficiency is via fortification of salt
with iodine. The Government of India has issued ban notification
on sale of non iodated salt in Delhi since 1984. The present study
was conducted to assess the iodine content of iodised salt consumed
by beneficiaries in Delhi, with the aim to strengthen the IDD control
programme activities implemented by the state government. A total
of 763 salt samples, collected from an equal number of households
constituted the study sample. It was found that 82.4% of the salt
samples had an iodine content of 15 ppm and above. Eleven percent
of the salt samples had iodine contents between 10 ppm and 15 ppm
and 5% had less than 10 ppm of iodine. The results of the present
study indicate that there is a need to continue monitoring the quality
of iodised salt at different levels of distribution and consumption
to ensure the success of the activities of the National Iodine Deficiency
Disorder Control Programme (NIDDCP).
Introduction
Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute a major
public health problem in India. It is now estimated that nearly 167
million people are exposed to the risk of IDD of which 54 million
have goitre, 2.2 million are cretins and 6.6 million have mild neurological
disorders1.
The surveys conducted so far have revealed a high
prevalence of endemic goitre in different states. The results of sample
surveys conducted in 239 districts of 25 states and 4 union territories
have identified 186 districts as endemic for IDD1. Pandav,
et al. have reported 55% goitre prevalence in Kalkaji and Chandni
Chowk areas of Delhi2.
Under the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control
Programme, iodised salt containing 15 ppm of iodine is made available
to the beneficiaries3. The government of India has issued
ban notification on sale of edible non-iodated salt in Delhi since
19841. The present study was conducted to assess the iodine
contents of iodised salt consumed by beneficiaries in Delhi with the
aim to strengthen the procurement and distribution of iodised salt
under national IDD control programme implemented by the state government.
Material and methods
Delhi Public School located in National Capital Region,
in which students from all parts of Delhi were studying, was selected
by purposive sampling, keeping in view of operational feasibility.
All the students in sixth to tenth standard were briefed about the
aim of the study in their respective classrooms. The students were
requested to br 1000 ing 15g of salt from their household in autoseal
polythene packets. The identification data, name, age and place of
residence of students were documented.
The salt samples collected were analysed using the
standard iodometric titration method4. 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 763 salt samples was collected from an equal number
of households. It was found that all of the families consumed
powdered salt. The results of iodine estimation of salt revealed
that 82% of the salt samples had an iodine content of 15 ppm
and above while 18% of the salt samples had less than 15 ppm
of iodine. Detailed analysis showed 11% of salt samples had
iodine content between 10 ppm and 15 ppm and 5% had less than
10 ppm of iodine. It was found that only 5 salt samples had
nil iodine content (Table 1), which indicates successful implementation,
distribution and consumption of iodised salt under NIDDCP programme
activities.
|
Table 1. Iodine contents of
salt (n = 763)
|
Iodine content (ppm)
|
|
Nil
|
0-10
|
10-15
|
>15
|
|
No
|
%
|
No
|
%
|
No
|
%
|
No
|
%
|
|
5
|
0.65
|
40
|
5.24
|
ccf
89
|
11.6
|
629
|
84.4
|
|
The iodine content of less than 15 ppm in 18% of the
salt samples indicates that either an inadequate quantity of iodine
was added during manufacture or iodine was lost during the channels
of transportation, distribution and storage at household level. The
iodine contents of all the 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.
The results of the present study indicate that there
is a need to continue monitoring the quality of iodised salt at different
levels of distribution and consumption to ensure the success of NIDDCP
activities.
Iodine Content of salt in National
Capital Territory of Delhi
U Kapil, S Bhasin, G Goindi, D Nayar
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical
Nutrition (1995) Volume 4 Number 2: 257-258
References
- Universalisation of access to iodised salt. A mid
decade goal. Salt Department, Ministry of Industry, Government of
India, Thompson press (India) Ltd, 1994; 1-3.
- Pandav CS. Endemic goitre in Delhi. Indian Journal
of Medical Research 1980; 73: 81-88.
- Kapil U, Chaturvedi S, Nayar D. National nutrition
supplementation programmes. Indian Pediatr 1992; 29: 1601-1613.
- Karmarkar MG, Pandav CS, Krishnamachari KAVAR.
Principle and procedure for iodine estimation and laboratory manual.
Indian Council of Medical Research, Gidson printing work, New Delhi,
1986; 3-6.
Copyright © 1995 [Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition]. All
rights reserved.
Revised:
January 19, 1999
.
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