Iodine and inorganic iodides
Assessment Values in Biological Material – Translation of the German version from 2016
Michael Nasterlack1Hans Drexler2 (Head of the working group “Assessment Values in Biological Material” of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
Andrea Hartwig3 (Chair of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
MAK Commission4
1 68526 Ladenburg, Germany
2 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Henkestraße 9–11, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
3 Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Building 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
4 Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Germany
Abstract
In 2015 the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated iodine [CAS No. 7553‐56‐2] and inorganic iodides. Available publications are described in detail.
There is no reproducible quantitative relation between iodine exposure, absorption and resulting body burden. The association between iodine absorption and the incidence of thyroid dysfunction seems to be U‐shaped. Therefore, no sharp boundary can be drawn between iodine oversupply and iodine deficiency relating to individual health. No harmless range could be indicated, so a BAT value (biological tolerance value) for iodine and inorganic iodides could not be derived.
There are major regional differences due to different geological deposits of iodine, different concentrations of iodine in drinking water, iodine‐containing aerosols and nutritional habits. Furthermore, there is a high variability in the urinary analysis. Therefore, a BAR (“Biologischer Arbeitsstoff‐Referenzwert”) for iodine and inorganic iodides could not be derived.
