Iodine in biology air should not exceed 1 mg/m³ (eight-hour time-weighted average). When mixed with ammonia and water, elemental iodine forms nitrogen triiodide, which is extremely shock-sensitive and can explode unexpectedly. Excessive iodine intake presents symptoms similar to those of iodine deficiency. Commonly encountered symptoms are abnormal growth of the thyroid gland and disorders in functioning, as well as in growth of the organism as a whole. Iodide toxicity is similar to (but not the same as) toxicity to ions of the other halogens, such as bromides or fluorides. Excess bromine and fluorine can prevent successful iodine uptake, storage and use in organisms,
Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde (MIF) is a solution used in biomedical laboratories for concentration of stool samples prior to microscopic investigation for parasites. Concentration of stool is necessary in order to raise sensitivity of microscopy, as in non-concentrated samples the likelihood of finding equivalents of actually present parasites is too low. MIF enables separation of different strata of stool matter, and sedimentation of stool particles that contain parasites (usually parasite eggs). After application of MIF, usually centrifugation is used for acceleration of sedimentation. The term "Merthiolate" indicates presence of thiomersal in the solution. Due to the hazardous qualities of thiomersal, it is