I have some questions about iodine pills<br>1. my pills have gotten dark, are they still OK to use ?<br>2. is a teflon lined cap really needed since you're using a cotton ball ?<br>the reason i ask is at<br>American Science & Surplus (www.sciplus.com)<br>I found these bottles<br>Catalog # 26712 Narrow Mouth 2ML CLEAR 15mm X 32mm Clear Glass $2.00/PKG(24)<br>however they use a cork stopper which I can just cover with teflon plumbing tape.

Replace the iodine. Make note of the replacements expiration date. You may wish to review the water purification section. Both Exploration Products and Barry at Blue Line Outfitters sell bottles with teflon caps. Cork is bark, and even under the best of conditions has the potential to fail. For such a critical component the small cost is worth being safe.

Can't beat the bottles from Blue Line Outfitters. And, they are great people to deal with !

I have been experimenting with this problem as well. I currently have done this and I am watching and waiting for results. I took two bic stick pens and cut one down to fit into my altoids can then filled it with iodine tablets which fit exactly into the tube (use the larger pen with a flat cap) about 10 fit in the length I cut. then I liberated the cap from the other pen and stuck it on the cut end of the tube with iodine tablets. This has been sitting in my kit for about 3 weeks with not evidence of iodine leaking out and afflicting the other contents - recognizable smell or yellowing of the other contents. I am not sure what the material of the pens is but would be interested if anyone knows. Seems that this configuration is quite air tight and holds the tablets safe from impact and fracturing. I am not sure if they are interacting with the inside of the tube and losing potency or picking up contamination. Any info?