Susumu Ko

Dietary iodine and bromine intakes in Ukrainian subjects.

Dietary iodine and bromine intakes in Ukrainian subjects were estimated in relation to the health effects on inhabitants after the Chernobyl accident. Two hundred and eighty-six total diets were collected from twenty-five regions for Ukrainians by a duplicate portion study. Iodine and bromine were rapidly determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after chemical separation. The range, median, and geometric mean of iodine intakes were 2.86–698, 44.7, and 48.1 &mgr;g per person per day, respectively. Those of bromine were 0.627–16.9, 2.97, and 2.92 mg per person per day, respectively. Daily intakes of both elements in Ukrainians were lower than previously reported values. The iodine intake in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl accident was lower than that in non-contaminated areas. The low iodine intake in both areas would be related to the high prevalence of goiters throughout the whole country. The low bromine intakes indicated Ukrainians were not exposed to bromine-containing foods.

Dietary Iodine Intake in the Ukraine

A daily intake of stable iodine in Ukrainian subjects was estimated in relation to the health effects on habitants after the Chernobyl accident. Total diet samples were collected from 25 oblasts (regions) using a duplicate portion method. Iodine was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after chemical separation. For Ukrainians, daily iodine intake was in the range of 2.86–698 μg per person. The median and geometric mean were 44.7 and 48.1 μg, respectively. The yearly trend of the intake had almost no change. Regional differences were expected to exist among the 10 contaminated areas of the Ukraine, but no clear differences appeared in the present findings. Daily iodine intake in Ukrainian subjects was estimated to be approximately 50 μg per person. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake of iodine was lowest in the reported values and below the deficient level; its lack could be related to the high prevalence of goiter, especially in more contaminated areas of the country. The iodine intake in Ukrainians was approximately two times lower than the worldwide reported values and the recommended dietary intake allowance. Its lack may be related to the high prevalence of thyroid abnormality in the country after the accident.