Environmental implication of iodine in water, milk and other foods used in Saharawi refugees camps in Tindouf, Algeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey among Saharawi refugees in four camps carried out in 2007 revealed enlarged thyroid volume and high urinary iodine concentration in women and school children. The purpose of this paper is to describe the content of iodine in food and water and explore whether any sources in the environment can explain the situation. Samples of water (n=143), milk (n=19) and salt (n=89) were collected. Different wells supplied the camps with water and the median iodine concentration was 108μg/L (range 55–545μg/L) and significantly higher in two of the camps (El Aiune and Ausserd; 300μg/L (range 55–545μg/L)), compared to the two other camps (Smara; 87μg/L (55–127μg/L) and Dakla; 70μg/L (55–96μg/L)). In local goat milk the median iodine concentration was 370μg/L (70–13,070μg/L). The median content of iodine in salt was 6μg/g (0–51μg/g). Water and local milk were the most important sources of iodine for women. High levels of iodine in water seem to be one of the main sources of iodine that affects humans as well as animals.