How to make a potassium iodide solution

a bit of googling and I found KI crystals for sale at the Science company:


http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Potassium-Iodide-125g-P6405C670.aspx


I have no idea whether that's a good price or not.....

and this is from an interesting message board, tried some of the links in there for KI, but, no luck:


http://medtech.syrene.net/forum/archive/index.php?t-137.html


Q: How Do You Make a Potassium Iodide (KI) Solution?

A: Prepared Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions are only available by prescription, such as Lugol's Solution. However, anyone can buy Potassium Iodide USP at a chemical supply house (and even some larger photo supply outlets) and readily mix up their own Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions that is every bit as effective as the tablets. Also, we were recently reminded by a Science teacher, that every town in America likely has a ready
and waiting supply of KI sitting in their high school Science labs that could protect hundreds of their students and local residents! A single 500 gram bottle of KI, now already on many of their shelves, could provide 3,846 adult daily doses or 7,692 child (age 3-12) thyroid-blocking doses! Community leaders need to pull together their
resourceful science teachers, local pharmacists and doctors to fully explore the resources already at hand and available for any future nuclear emergency that might befall their locale. You might could be responsible for saving many in your community from future thyroid cancer by simply bringing this to the attention of your local officials, science teachers, pharmacists and doctors!

There are two kinds of Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions that can be made. Saturated and anything less than saturated.

With a saturated Potassium Iodide (KI) solution you are adding a little more Potassium Iodide (KI) to a fixed amount of water until some of the crystals or granules will not dissolve. They will be visible at the bottom of the solution, even after vigorous mixing. The solution is now considered saturated when it won't take up and dissolve any more Potassium Iodide (KI).

From Cresson H. Kearny, the author of Nuclear War Survival Skills by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, states on page 114:

"To prepare a saturated solution of potassium iodide, fill a bottle about 60% full of crystalline or granular potassium iodide. (A 2-fluid-ounce bottle, made of dark glass and having a solid, non-metallic, screwcap top, is a good size for a family. About 2 ounces of crystalline or granular potassium iodide is needed to fill a 2-fluid-ounce bottle about 60% full.) Next, pour safe, room-temperature water into the bottle until it is about 90% full. Then close the bottle tightly and shake it vigorously for at least 2 minutes. Some of the solid potassium iodide should remain permanently undissolved at the bottom of the bottle; this is proof that the solution is saturated.

Experiments with a variety of ordinary household medicine droppers determined that 1 drop of a saturated solution of potassium iodide contains from 28 to 36 mg of potassium iodide."

Two ounces of granulated Potassium Iodide (KI), mentioned above, is about 56.7 grams.
Also, from the above, an adult would be wanting four drops of the saturated solution as an expedient dosage. This would amount to between 112 to 144 mg of Potassium Iodide (KI) total. Remember, 130 mg of KI is an
adult daily dose and half that (65 mg) is a child (age 3-12) daily dose.

Less than saturated Potassium Iodide (KI) solutions, when properly mixed, should give even more accurate dosages because there is more solution overall to be measured out per dose. For example, mixing and dissolving exactly 26 grams of Potassium Iodide USP into a one liter bottle of water, for example, produces 1000 ml of Potassium Iodide solution with a strength of 130 mg for each 5 ml of that Potassium Iodide (KI) solution. There are 200 of those 5 ml servings in that 1000 ml (1 liter). 5 ml can be easily and accurately measured out with a common graduated medicine dropper. 5 ml is also equal to one measuring teaspoon.

Following the above formula, you could make up most any size and/or strength Potassium Iodide (KI) solution needed with accurate scales and enough bulk Potassium Iodide (KI).

Regardless of what kind of Potassium Iodide (KI) solution might be utilized, Potassium Iodide (KI) is very bitter. You must always then mix that dose (whether 4 drops saturated or 5 ml from the above formula) into another
glass of juice, milk, or, at least, water to dilute it further before drinking.
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