Potassium Iodide... and radiation won't hurt your thyroid gland!

What is it?
Potassium iodide is a white salt and the most commercially significant iodide compound.

Where is it found?

Potassium iodide occurs naturally in kelp.

(Kelp's iodide content can range from 89 mg/kg to 8165 mg/kg.)

Properties
Molar mass: 166.0028 g/mol
Appearance: white crystalline solid

Density: 3.123 g/cm^3

Melting Point: 681 °C

Boiling Point: 1330 °C

Solubility in water: 140 g/100 mL (20 °C)

Crystal Structure: cubic

Uses

Potassium iodide medical uses

thyroid blockade Potassium iodide (KI) is a salt of stable (not radioactive) iodine that can help block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland, thus protecting this gland from radiation injury.
thyroid storm Thyroid storm is a severe form of thyrotoxicosis characterized by rapid and often irregular heart beat, high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, and mental agitation. Even with treatment, death occurs in 20% to 50%.
and also as an expectoran An expectorant (from the Latin expectorare, to expel from the chest) works by signaling the body to increase the amount or hydration of secretions, resulting in more yet clearer secretions and as a byproduct lubricating the irritated respiratory tract.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Potassium iodide industrial uses

film photography is used with silver nitrate to make silver iodide (AgI) an important chemical in film photgraphy
biomedical research is used as a fluorescence quenching agent
organic synthesis (finds its most important applications) mainly in the preparation of aryl iodides in the Sandmeyer reaction, starting from aryl amines.

preparation of aryl iodides in the Sandmeyer reaction

KI is also a component in some disinfectants and hair treatment chemicals and in the electrolyte of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) along with iodine.

Side Effects in medical use
Nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea, metallic taste in the mouth, fever,headache, or acne may occur.

This reaction is happening in the well known experiment "elephant's toothpaste".

References: en.wikipedia.org ~ emergency.cdc.gov ~ webmd.com

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