People in Magelang lack iodine

People in Magelang lack iodine

MAGELANG, Central Java: Thousands of residents of the Central Java town of Magelang are consuming noniodized salt and water, which could have a negative impact on the younger generations.

Dr. Sasongko, a senior official at the Magelang Health Office, said on Saturday the water consumed by local people did not contain iodine.

And at least 30 percent of the town's population of approximately 1,200,000 consumed salt with very low levels of iodine, he added.

"This is dangerous because iodine plays a significant role in people's lives," he said.

Sasongko said the lack of iodine affected the intelligence of children and had an impact on pregnant mothers and their babies.

He said the impact was already beginning to be seen, with many local children unable to continue their studies at higher levels.

In an effort to prevent further damage, he said his office had provided more than 400,000 iodized capsules to women of child- bearing age. --JP