Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:
Can you help me find info on the toxicity of iodine in wound cleansing?
I have tried Veronica and various gophers, but haven't found a directory 
I can use.  I have yet to try the library catalogues -- they generally
index books only.
 ll v lawrence

Answer:
Try looking at the follwoing references in the library:
(1) The Merck Index
(2) Lange's Handbook of Chemistry
(3) The catalog of any chemical supply company
 
These references may say something about toxcicity levels.
Note that iodine is a strong oxidizing agent and certainly is
going to cause a great deal of damage if you swallow it,
mostly in the form of burns up and down the length of the esophagus
and GI tract.
 
-dr topper