iodine is used as a catalyst for making acetic acid. animal feed also has iodine in it for nutrition. iodine is used for a disinfectant. tincture of iodine is a common iodine disinfectant. iodine can be used to prevent thyroid cancer after a nuclear explosion. after a nuclear explosion, radioactive iodine fills the air. the radioactive iodine easily goes into the thyroid and causes cancer. when people take iodine tablets, it fills up the thyroid with non-radioactive iodine which prevents any radioactive iodine from coming in.