This Day in Science History - January 27 - Iodized Salt
January 27th marks the passing of David M. Cowie. Cowie was a
medical researcher who was instrumental to the addition of iodine in
table salt in the United States. Cowie was investigating the high
incidents of goiter in the United States Great Lakes and Pacific
Northwest areas. Goiter is a swelling of a thyroid gland in the neck and
was recognized as a national health problem during the draft preceding
World War I. Several young men were disqualified from service because of
the condition.
The main reason for the development of goiter is the lack of iodine in a person's diet. The amount of iodine necessary to ward off these effects was very small and finding an effective means to administer iodine to people was needed. Cowie was aware of a Swiss process of adding sodium iodide to table salt (sodium chloride) and managed to convince Michigan salt producers to include minute quantities of sodium iodide to their salt for consumption locally. This type of salt was identified by the label "contains .01 per cent sodium iodide". In less than a year, the Morton Salt Company was distributing iodized salt nationally.
The incidents of goiter were greatly reduced by this dietary addition. Over time, other effects of dietary iodine deficiency were found. The most notable were deficiencies in pregnant women and infants. Iodine was shown to be vital to the development of the brain and the lack can cause lowered intellectual capacity or cretinism.
David Cowie's contribution to public health has helped diminish medical problems that were once a serious problem in the United States.
The main reason for the development of goiter is the lack of iodine in a person's diet. The amount of iodine necessary to ward off these effects was very small and finding an effective means to administer iodine to people was needed. Cowie was aware of a Swiss process of adding sodium iodide to table salt (sodium chloride) and managed to convince Michigan salt producers to include minute quantities of sodium iodide to their salt for consumption locally. This type of salt was identified by the label "contains .01 per cent sodium iodide". In less than a year, the Morton Salt Company was distributing iodized salt nationally.
The incidents of goiter were greatly reduced by this dietary addition. Over time, other effects of dietary iodine deficiency were found. The most notable were deficiencies in pregnant women and infants. Iodine was shown to be vital to the development of the brain and the lack can cause lowered intellectual capacity or cretinism.
David Cowie's contribution to public health has helped diminish medical problems that were once a serious problem in the United States.
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