Fluoride is a major industrial pollutant, one which has caused widespread damage to fluoride-exposed workers and downwind communities. During the Cold War, fluoride was responsible for more litigation against U.S. industry than all other air pollutants combined. Although the development of modern pollution control technology has resulted in significant reductions in fluoride emissions, millions of workers around the world remain at risk for respiratory, neurological, and bone diseases from fluoride exposure, and downwind communities remain at risk in countries with weak environmental regulation.
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In the meantime, we recommend the following links:
Reviews:
- The Phosphate Fertilizer Industry: An Environmental Overview
- Fluorides in the Air
- Air is “Fluoridated”
Fluoride in the Workplace:
News on Fluoride-Polluting Industries:
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First Atom Bomb Suit - for Ruined Peaches - Filed by Salem County Growers for $400,000
A dozen orchard owners in Salem County (N.J.) blamed the atomic bomb yesterday for their ruined 1944 peach crop. And - they're not fooling. For they filed suit in New Jersey Supreme Court for $400,000 to make good for their losses. Named in the suit - first of its kind - are
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The Ecological Aspect of Fluoride
Presented at the 4th Annual Conference of International Society for Fluoride Research, The Hague, 10/24-27/71. It is a great honor to be asked to present the Opening Address at this, the 4th meeting of the International Society for Fluoride Research. I chose "The Ecological Aspect of Fluoride", because I believe that
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New Report Bolsters Fluoride-Cancer Link
The evidence that fluoride may cause cancer has just become substantially stronger. In the May 19th issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, a 12-year follow-up study of workers in the cryolite industry confirms earlier reports of a link between occupational fluoride exposure and bladder & lung cancer.
Related Articles:
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Radiological Modifications of the Skeletal System Among Aluminum Smelter Workers
This paper reports the frequency of occurrence of bone changes caused by fluoride in a population of 358 aluminum smelter workers who had been fluoride exposed for more than 5 years. In the examination, particular attention was paid to degenerative changes of the skeleton and the frequency of spondylosis, arthrosis of the hip and elbow joints as well as changes in the form of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (spondylosis hypeostotica Forestier).
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Industrial Fluorosis
A highly significant relationship of exposure to fluoride was established with the frequency of back and neck surgery, fractures, symptoms of musculoskeletal disease and past history of diseases of bones and joints in the absence of the typical findings of skeletal fluorosis. Monitoring exposed workers for the early manifestations of "musculoskeletal fluorosis" is recommended prior to the development of destructive and degenerative changes of the skeleton.
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Fluorine recovery in the fertilizer industry - a review.
The fluorine compounds liberated during the acidulation of phosphate rock in the manufacture of phosphoric acid and fertilizers are now rightly regarded as a menace, and the industry is now obliged to suppress emissions of fluorine-containing vapours to within very low limits in most parts of the world. As with any pollution control operation, it is highly desirable for the operator of the fluorine scrubbing operation to find a use or market for the recovered fluorine to help defray at least partially the cost of the operation.
Related Studies:
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Photographs of the Florida Phosphate Industry
[caption id="attachment_9067" align="aligncenter" width="544" caption="IMC Agrico - New Wales Plant, Polk County, Florida"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_9069" align="aligncenter" width="544" caption="IMC Agrico - New Wales Plant, Polk County, Florida "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_9062" align="aligncenter" width="544" caption="Phosphate ore can contain significant quantities of uranium. (IMC Agrico - New Wales Plant, Polk County, Florida)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_9070" align="aligncenter" width="544" caption="IMC Agrico
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Air Pollution from Stauffer Chemical Phosphate Plant
Report from U.S. government agency documenting history of fluoride air pollution problems from a phosphate plant in Florida.
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TRI 2008: Rank by Industry for Fluorine Releases
The following data comes from EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) for Fluorine releases in 2008. "Total releases" includes both water and air pollution. It’s important to note, however, that not all industries or sources that release fluoride into the environment are included in the TRI. Total 2008 Fluorine Releases = 91,874 pounds See also 2008 Hydrogen
Related Miscellaneous Content:
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