Effect of iodine-containing antiseptics on urine iodine levels of surgical staff after iodization

Abstract

Background The routine use of topical iodinated antiseptic could be a possible cause of iodine contamination. This study was aimed to determine urinary iodine status of operation-room staff who routinely use iodine-containing antiseptics for cleansing of the hands after salt iodization. Materials and methods The study included 40 operation-room staff who use surgical hand-scrub solutions. Participants applied an iodized brush for a minimum of three times a day on weekdays and were iodine-free on the weekends. Morning urine samples from all volunteers to analyze the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) twice a week. Modified microplate method of Sandell-Kolthoff reaction used to measure UIC. Results The UICs were significantly higher on Friday (median 194 μg/L (70–396 μg/L)) compared to the Monday concentrations (median 125 μg/L (62–264 μg/L), p < 0.001). Mild iodine deficiency occurred in 32.5% of the subjects on Monday, in 5% on Friday. On Monday, there were no subjects with UIC > 300 μg/L, but on Friday, 7.5% of the subjects had UIC > 300 μg/L. Conclusion Despite both the use of iodized antiseptic solution and mandatory iodization, operation-room staff had only median iodine levels with low risk of iodine intoxication.