The International Resource Laboratories for Iodine (IRLI) Network
 Iodine deficiency can cause severe mental retardation. Fortifying salt with an appropriate level of iodine increases educational achievement of a population. Photo: Harvey Nelson |
Start Date
On May 22, 2001, laboratory technicians and policymakers from 31 countries and 6 continents gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, for a workshop entitled, Establishing an International Network of Iodine Resource Laboratories. Recommendations from the workshop participants formed the foundation for the International Resource Laboratories for Iodine (IRLI) Network's action plan.
Background and Purpose
The IRLI Network is the first global network of Iodine Resource Laboratories developed in support of national public health and the salt industry to monitor iodine nutrition. The IRLI Network was formed to strengthen the basic monitoring component of universal salt iodization worldwide. The IRLI Network functions to strengthen the capacity of laboratories to accurately measure iodine content in urine and in salt. Participation by IRLI Resource Laboratories in CDC's Ensuring the Quality of Iodine Procedures (EQUIP) Program ties the network to one accuracy base, comparing results across regions and programs.
Scope
The IRLI Network is composed of resource laboratories from each WHO region
- Africa — Cameroon and South Africa
- The Americas — Guatemala and Peru
- Eastern Mediterranean — Iran
- Europe — Belgium, Bulgaria, and Russia
- Southeast Asia — India and Indonesia
- Western Pacific — Australia and China
Other Partners
The coordinating body for the IRLI network consists of representatives from the CDC and the following agencies
- International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD)
- The Micronutrient Initiative (MI)
- United Nations' International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
A technical subcommittee is developing the training module for the Harmonization Workshop and providing necessary technical assistance and ongoing training to resource laboratories. This subcommittee includes representatives from
- ICCIDD
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre in Belgium
- Westmead Hospital in Australia
- Medical Research Council in South Africa
Progress
Selecting the initial IRLI Network was recently finalized. IRLI Network laboratories will serve as resources to national and sub-national laboratories in their regions for the analysis of iodine in urine and in salt. Roles and responsibilities of the IRLI Network Laboratories include
- Training and technology transfer to national laboratories.
- Forming regional networks.
- Developing technical standards and external auality assurance programs.
- Collaborating with the salt industry and other sectors where appropriate.
- Communicating and advocating for the network.
- Seeking necessary resources to sustain the operation of regional networks.
Future Plans
The IRLI Network Harmonization Workshop is scheduled for November 10–15, 2002, in Cape Town, South Africa. The goals of the workshop are to
- Harmonize operating procedures among IRLI Network laboratories.
- Exchange training experiences.
- Build capacity among IRLI Network Laboratories for their role as resource laboratories.
- Discuss IRLI's connection to other national programs.
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Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion