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Iodine Single Use packets |
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Iodine - Single Use Packs North Brand PVP-Iodine wipes are used as a first aid antiseptic for minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Each saturated wipe pad contains 10% Povidone-iodine (equivalent to 1% titratable iodine). For external use only. Weight 1.8 grams each packet Tiny package, big value in your first aid or survival kit.
Directions for use: Clean the affected area with soap and water. Open the foil pack and use the pad to apply a small amount of the PVP Iodine to the area 1 to 3 times daily. Allow to dry then apply a sterile bandage.
These non-irritating, and virtually non-stinging antiseptic bactericidal virucidal prep pads contain 10% povidone-iodine solution (equivalent to 1% available iodine). It is the most effective anti-microbial for proven antisepsis, kills gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi and yeasts and helps prevent infection of wounds.
Povidone-iodine provides longer germicidal activity than ordinary iodine solutions.
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We check all packages to make sure you have at least 6 months before printed expiration date. Most have 1 year to 2 year periods, but it varies with each shipment. Quick research on the web confirms that iodine, stored properly has a very long shelf life. Many bottled iodine products in the store have NO expiration date.
Expiration dates present a hurdle for those of us creating long term disaster survival kits. The food we place in the kits can last 10-25 years when properly packaged. We want the medicines to have similar durability.
It is important to differentiate between the printed expiration date AND true shelf life. Many medicines can have longer shelf life than that printed on the package.
The printed expiriation date is the date beyond which the manufacturer cannot guarantee the strength and potency of their product. In most cases this is a worst case scenario. The manufacturer cannot control the storage of the item after production. Factors are highly variable, how much light, moisture or temperature changes their product might be exposed to vary greatly. Manufacturers are generally very conservative, posting short expiration dates. Plus - manufacturers have a financial incentive to sell more - the early expiration dates "build in" repeat business.
If a medication undergoes prolonged and varied exposure to light, air and moisture, the active ingredients in the product react, rendering a change in the drug's potency. For example when aspirin is stored in a typical bathroom medicine cabinet, it is exposed to frequent cycles of high humidity and slow drying periods. The prolonged exposure to moisture in the air makes the active ingredient in aspirin convert to acetic acid, which is why old aspirin smells like vinegar.
When building a disaster survival kit - consider these factors and properly store your kit, in a cool, dark, dry place. Keep and reuse packs of Silica Gel that come with new products - use them in your kit to control moisture. If possible vacumm seal products in your survival kit (see sidebar).
If properly stored, most off the shelf medicines can have extended life. In a true disaster, it is better to have access to a properly stored , yet expired medication rather than nothing at all.
For example on 4/28/2010 we opened two packages - one that was expired in 2007 and another that had 6 months remaining until expiration. The contents were identical in moisture content, smell and appearance, Both had been stored in our warehouse, a dry environment where temperatures range from 45 to 75 degrees. The 2007 sample would be entirely usable in an emergency situation where
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