The affect Halogens have on the human body
The halogen families composed of five chemical elements that make up Group 17 on the periodic table. This family consists of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. The term halogen means "salt-former." Halogens are nonmetallic, have seven valence electrons in their outer shell, and exist in all three states of matter at room temperature: solid- iodine/ astatine, liquid- bromine, gas- fluorine/ chlorine.
Fluorine- Fluorine makes up 0.0037% of the weight in the human body. It is found in teeth and bones. The only thing fluorine does for the body is preventing tooth decay.
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Chlorine- Chlorine takes up 0.15% of the human body's weight. In the body, chlorine is found as a negative ion called chloride. Chloride is an electrolyte used in maintaing a balance in the fluids found in the human body.
Iodine- Iodine makes up 0.000016% of the weight in the human body. It is required in making thyroid hormones which regulate the metabolic rate and other cellular functions. A lack of iodine can lead to goiter and brain damage.