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Iodine Required for Health
A member of the halogen group on the periodic table, iodine is found in the brine extracted along with natural gas. This element is essential for the human body's critical physiological processes related to life and growth. Since Japan is an island nation, Japanese people receive their necessary intake of iodine from sources such as seaweed and fish. However, people of many other countries often have iodine-poor diets and can suffer iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).
Iodine manufacture is the second main pillar of business at KNG. Most iodine is exported, making it a precious resource for Japan, which is otherwise poor in resources. Together Chile and Japan (mostly Chiba Prefecture) are the world's main producers of iodine. In March 1995, we received ISO 9002 quality assurance accreditation for iodine production and ISO 9001:2000 accreditation in May 2002. Through measures such as these, KNG is building a reliable base as the world's leading iodine producer.
What is IDD?
Iodine is a micronutrient element that is fundamental to a living body and is essential for the subsistence and growth of humans and animals. Hormones that contain iodine are produced in the thyroid glands located in the lower jaw (cervical region) of a human body. Insufficient amount of iodine causes IDD, and may lead to hypoplasia, mental retardation, and other various functional disorders and goiters, etc.
Very few Japanese people show symptoms of this disorder as they take in the necessary amount of iodine from sources such as seaweed and fish. However, around 1.6 billion people in the world have been facing the danger of IDD, and it has become a serious problem all over the world. The step for preventing this disorder is to take food with iodine added salt. Chiba Prefecture, which accounts for the major part of the iodine production in Japan, is engaged in iodine aid projects for Mongolia and Cambodia struggling with IDD and has good and friendly relationships with these countries. KNG is also participating in these aid projects.
Usage Extending to the Most Advanced Fields
Iodine use is closely linked to our daily lives. Products include a medicated gargle, X-ray contrast media and an antimicrobial agent. In addition, iodine is useful as an industrial catalyst and has many applications in the field of agriculture. Recently, demand for iodine has grown in high-tech fields such as LCD polarizing film and etching agents for semiconductors.
- High x-ray absorption capacity of iodine allows use as contrast agents in medical x-ray imaging.
- Use of antimicrobial action of iodine allows use for sterilization.
- Use in chemicals for cure and prevention in iodine deficiency disorders = IDD (iodine (iodides and iodates) can be mixed with salts and feed).
- Photographic photosensitive materials (AgI), herbicides, industrial catalysts, stabilizing chemicals plastics, polarizing films for liquid crystal display and also other industrial areas of use.
