If this percentage is reduced, the mental capacity of babies born to mothers with IDD will be improved and populations may be better protected in the event of a nuclear disaster. Iodine deficiency is the most important cause of preventable mental retardation in the world. Its effects have a negative impact on the entire economies of affected nations. Globally at least 800 million people live in iodine-deficient environments and are affected by the disorders induced by iodine deficiency. These include endemic goitre, cretinism, mental deficiency, decreased fertility rates and increased perinatal deaths and infant overall mortality.
Babies born to iodine-deficient mothers are especially at risk of mental impairment.
Populations suffering from subclinical IDD will be more susceptible to radiation damage and thyroid cancer in the event of furhther Chernobyls. There is thus a strong case for the introduction of a European policy on iodine fortification aimed at the early eradication of deficiencies. Iodine can be best added to a food which everybody everywhere consumes every day, such as salt. Adding iodine to salt is simple and cheap. But even thought iodized salt is now widely consumed everywhere, sold iodization schemes can often collapse in troubled times.