Name: China Supplier High Quality Best Price Potassium Iodide CAS 7681-11-0
Brand: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co., Ltd.

Specifications of Potassium Iodide CAS 7681-11-0

Items	Specifications	Results
Assay	≥99.0%	99.12%
Iodate	Not more than 4 µ g/g	Passes the test
Loss on drying	≤1.0%	0.16%
Heavy metals (Pb)	≤0.001%	＜0.001%

Parameters of Potassium Iodide CAS 7681-11-0

Product parameters
Cas number:	7681-11-0
Appearance:	White crystalline powder
Purity:	99%min
Package details:	25kg/drum
Brand:	Fortunachem

Potassium iodide (KI) is a white, crystalline salt made up of the elements potassium (K) and iodine (I). It is the most common form of iodine used for nutritional supplementation and medical treatment.

Its chemical formula is simply KI.

It is stable in dry air but can slowly absorb moisture and turn yellow upon long-term exposure to air, as it absorbs carbon dioxide (CO₂) and moisture, causing a small amount of iodine to be released.

Key Properties

Appearance: White, crystalline powder or granules.
Taste: Sharp, bitter, salty taste.
Solubility: It is highly soluble in water. This property is crucial for its use in liquid preparations and for quick absorption by the body.

Primary Uses and Applications

Potassium iodide has two main categories of use: nutritional/thyroid health and emergency radiation protection.

1. Thyroid Protection and Nutritional Supplement

This is its most common everyday use.

Iodine Source: Iodine is an essential trace element required for the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). These hormones regulate metabolism, growth, development, and body temperature.
Preventing Iodine Deficiency: In areas where the soil is iodine-deficient (leading to low iodine in food), KI is added to table salt ("iodized salt") to prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). These disorders can lead to goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and severe developmental issues like cretinism in children.
Thyroid Blocking in Medical Procedures: KI tablets are sometimes prescribed before certain medical imaging procedures that use radioactive iodine contrast dyes. By saturating the thyroid with stable (non-radioactive) iodine, the gland is "blocked" from absorbing the radioactive tracer, protecting it from unnecessary radiation exposure.

2. Emergency Radiation Protection (Most Critical Use)

This is the use KI is most famously known for.

Nuclear Accident Preparedness: In the event of a nuclear reactor accident or detonation of a nuclear weapon, radioactive iodine (Radioiodine, I-131) is a major fission product released into the air.
How it Works: If inhaled or ingested, radioactive iodine (I-131) is concentrated in the thyroid gland, just like stable iodine. This can lead to thyroid cell damage and significantly increase the risk of thyroid cancer years later, especially in children.
KI works by flooding the thyroid with stable, non-radioactive iodine.
This saturation effect "blocks" the thyroid from absorbing and retaining the radioactive I-131.
The radioactive iodine is then largely excreted from the body through urine, preventing long-term harm.
Crucial Timing: For KI to be effective, it must be taken just before or immediately after exposure to radioactive iodine. It is not a general "anti-radiation" pill and offers no protection against other radioactive elements or external radiation exposure. Its protection lasts approximately 24 hours.

3. Other Uses

Pharmaceuticals: Used as an expectorant in some older cough medicines to loosen mucus in the airways (though this use is less common now).
Chemistry: Used as a source of iodide ions in chemical synthesis and analytical chemistry (e.g., in the "iodine clock reaction").
Photography: Was a key component in photographic developers and fixers in traditional film photography.

Safety, Side Effects, and Important Warnings

Generally Safe: For short-term use at recommended doses, KI is very safe for most people.
Side Effects: Can include skin rashes, salivary gland inflammation, metallic taste, burning in the mouth or throat, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
Allergic Reactions: Although rare, some people can have severe allergic reactions.
Critical Warnings:
Not for Everyone: People with known iodine allergy, certain thyroid conditions (like dermatitis herpetiformis or hypocomplementemic vasculitis), or kidney disease should not take KI without explicit medical direction.
Dosage is Key: The dose is based on age and body size. Taking more than recommended does not offer more protection and increases the risk of side effects.
Not a General Antidote: KI only protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine. It does not protect other parts of the body and provides no protection against other radioactive materials like cesium-137.
Do Not Take Preemptively: KI should only be taken when instructed by public health officials during a confirmed radiation emergency involving the release of radioactive iodine. Stockpiling and self-administering without cause is not recommended.

In Summary:

Aspect	Description
What it is	A salt composed of potassium and iodine (KI).
Primary Functions	1. Nutrition: Prevents iodine deficiency (via iodized salt). 2. Emergency Medicine: Protects the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine in a nuclear incident.
Mechanism of Action	"Thyroid Saturation" - Floods the thyroid with stable iodine, blocking the uptake of radioactive iodine (I-131).
Key Limitation	Only protects the thyroid. It is not a general-purpose anti-radiation treatment.
Crucial Factor	Timing. Must be taken immediately before or right after exposure to be effective.

In essence, potassium iodide is a simple compound with a life-saving purpose. It is a critical public health tool for preventing thyroid cancer in populations exposed to one specific and dangerous byproduct of nuclear fallout.