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1985 Fluoride Abstracts. Part 2.

Abstracts for the following years:
Part 1 - mainly biochemistry and physiology (brain, hormonal, G-proteins, etc.)
Part 2 ("b") - all other

2007

2007-b

2004

2004-b

2001

2001-b

1998

1998-b

1995

1995-b

1992

1992-b

1989

1989-b

1986

1986-b

1983

1982

1976 -
1977
1970 -
1971

2006

2006-b

2003

2003-b

2000

2000-b

1997

1997-b

1994

1994-b

1991

1991-b

1988

1988-b

1985

1985-b

1981

1980

1974 -
1975
1968 -
1969

2005

2005-b

2005-b continued

2002

2002-b

1999

1999-b

1996

1996-b

1993

1993-b

1990

1990 -b

1987

1987-b

1984

1984-b

1979

1978

1972 -
1973
Up to
1967

November, 14, 1985.

Federal Register notice.

US EPA health-based standard for fluoride in drinking water.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):181-186

Editorial Review

Phenomenal cancer mortality rates among Danish cryolite factory workers

Dean Burk

Excerpt:

Grandjean, Juel, and Jensen have recently reported (1) that, compared with standardized national mortality rates for the population of Denmark, or even for Copenhagen, a cohort of 425 male workers in a Cophenhagen cryolite factory showed marked excess death rates for respiratory cancers, violent deaths (suicide and accidental), pulmonary and other known causes of death, but relatively few or none for cardiovascular diseases (Table 1, Col. 1-4). Their results are summarized in Col. 4 in terms of conventional standarized mortality ratios (SMR = [observed/expected] deaths), where an SMR greater than unity indicaes a positive excess relative to the standard population employed, within a chosen confidence level of 95% based on a Poisson distribution.

Table 1
Mortality 1941 - 1982 in 425 male cryolite workers employed in
Copenhagen six months or more between 1924 and 1961
  Standardized Mortality  
  No. of Deaths Ratio (SMR)
Obs/Exp#
Difference (SMD) Obs-Exp SMD per 100,000 workers per year+
cause of death Observed Expected*
Cancer 54 37.9 1.43 16.1 94.7
- Respiratory 27 11.4 2.37 15.6 91.8
- Urogenital 7 5.9 1.19 1.1 6.5
- Other 20 20.6 0.97 -0.6 -3.5
Violent 27 12.5 2.15 14.5 85.3
- Suicide 13 5.6 2.34 7.4 43.5
- Accidents 14 6.9 2.03 7.1 41.8
Pulmonary 15 8.8 1.70 6.2 36.5
Cardio-vacular 72 69.5 1.04 2.5 14.7
Other known 31 20.6 1.50 10.4 61.2
Unknown 7  
TOTAL 206 149.3 1.38 56.7 334

* Expected numbers computed from national rates for Denmark as standardizing population.
# Given for 95% confidence llmits.
+ Calculated for 1941-1981 (40 years), e.g., (SMD x 100,000) / (425 x 40).
Data in Col. 5 and 6 re-express data in Col. 2 to 4 and thus have equivalent confidence limits.

A fundamental defect in the widely used SMR is that it does not, of itself, give a direct indication of the absolute numbers of excess deaths involved -e.g., whether 10, 1000, 100,000 etc., from which usual mortality rates in terms of excess deaths per unit of population per unit time would be directly evident.

A better perspective is given, however, by the standardized mortality differences (SMD = [observed - expected] deaths), which state directly the absolute number of excess deaths in terms of excess deaths per unit of population per unit time, as here provided in Table 1, Col. 5-6. Since these SMD values are, like the SMR values in Col. 4, based on the identical observed and expected values in Col. 2-3, they are of equivalent statistical merit. Due consideration of these SMD values, which was not undertaken in the paper cited (1), greatly alters some of the important conclusions and emphases therein.

The excess deaths among the Copenhagen cryolite workers can fairly be described as overwhelmingly devastating. Thus, the total excess deaths given in Col. 6 - 334 per 100,000 cryolite factory workers per year - is about one half of the observed total deaths from all causes per 100,000 population per year in Denmark, averaged over the 40-year period 1941-1981. Not all of these 334 excess deaths were statistically significant as such, but the excess cancer and violent deaths were regarded in the paper (1) as clearly statistically significant. The sum of these, as indicated in Col. 6 to be 180 per 100,000 cryoltie factory workers per year over the 40-year average, are thus, by themselves, about equal to a quarter of the total mortality rate for Denmark; and, for cancer by itself, 94.7 (Col. 6), about one eighth. Such an average increase in cancer death rate - about 12% per year - can certainly be described as catastrophic when linked with one known cause, namely working in a cryolite factory.

... Although the Danish workers did not regard the excess deaths found for pulmonary and other known diseases as "statistically significant" it is to be noted that the reported SMR values for both these assigned causes of death (SMR = 1.70 and 1.50, resp.) were indeed greater than for cancer (SMR = 1.43, Col. 4) where the excess was assigned statistical significance; we have here another illustration of the inadequacy of the SMR per se, without due consideration of absolute as well as relative numbers.

Which aspect or aspects of working in a cryolite factory resulted in the high excess cancer rates is still uncertain, and a question to which Grandjean, Juel and Jensen devoted considerable attention. Cryolite, Na3AlF6, contains 54.3% fluorine and 12.9% aluminum, both of which are potential and indeed demonstrated agents of chemical carcinogenesis. However, virtually all of the carcinogenesis, reported as mortality, took place in the respirtory tract (Table 1, first and second data lines), so that solid carcinogenesis from inhaled dust may be the primary agent, similar to solid carcinogenesis from asbestos. Inhaled crylite dust, whether soluble or insolube in pulmonary tissue, could certainly in principle act as a carcinogenic irritant. Grandjean (3) had earlier indicated that "occupational fluoride exposures result in much higher intake rates than does ingestion of fluroide in drinking water," possibily a daily uptake of several milligrams of fluoride; and that, in the cohort here studied (1) there had been "at least 74 cases of skeletal fluorosis." ...

(1) Grandjean P et al (1985). Mortality and cancer morbidity after heavy occupational fluoride exposure. Am J Epid 121:57-67.
(3) Grandjean P (1982). Occuational fluorosis through 50 years: clinical and epidemiological experiences. Am J Ind Med 3:227-236.


N Z Med J 1985 Jun 12;98(780):454-5

A simple method for obtaining bone biopsy specimens for fluoride analysis and some preliminary results.

Smith GE.

[Publication Type: Letter]

Excerpt: Traditionally, bone samples for fluroide analysis have been obtained either from the iliac cest, ribs, vertebrae, femora or sternun in cadavers or in living subjects, from the iliac crest. The interrradicular septum, namely the portion of alveolar bone between the roots of molar teeth which are exposed when the tooth is extracted, is a very convenient piece of bone for analysis. It is both easily obtained, and is has a high turnover rate; moreover, fluoride is known to concentrate in areas of active ossification.

To test the new method, fluoride cocentrations in alveolar bone of 24 female subjects were measured, 12 of whom wre suffering from so-caled repetitive strain injury (RSI). All test subects resided in a Melbourne [Australia] fluoridated area. Fluoride content (ppm) of 24 alveolar bone ash samples is presented in Table 1. Fluroide levels in bone from subjects with RSI are, on an average, appreciably higher than those found in subjects not afflicted with RSI, namely up to 3300 (average 2737) in the former and up to 2200 (average 1687) in the latter...

Table 1
Body, Weight, Age, and Fluoride Content in Alveolar Bone
of 24 Female Patients with and without Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Patients with RSI Patients without RSI
Patient Weight
(kg)
Age
(yr)
F
in alevolar bone
(ppm)
Patient Weight
(kg)
Age
(yr)
F
in alevolar bone
(ppm)
1 49.1 22 1850 1 53.6 24 1700
2 45.0 27 2600 2 57.7 22 1400
3 52.3 24 2950 3 55.9 22 900
4 51.0 28 2400 4 59.1 28 2200
5 47.3 20 1700 5 62.7 26 1750
6 48.2 31 3700 6 56.8 34 2100
7 51.8 28 3100 7 61.8 37 1900
8 54.5 26 2850 8 56.8 32 2100
9 62.7 25 2900 9 64.5 21 1600
10 56.8 36 3300 10 58.2 19 1200
11 58.2 30 3100 11 59.5 24 1800
12 59.1 28 2400 12 56.4 23 1600
Average 53.0 27 2737 Average 58.7 26 1687
  ppm F   ppm F

N Z Med J 1985 Aug 28;98(785):710

No Abstract available

Repetitive strain injury, or incipient skeletal fluorosis?

Smith GE.

Publication Types: Letter

PMID: 3863039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


N Z Med J 1985 Jul 10;98(782):556-7

No Abstract available

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) and magnesium and fluoride intake.

Smith GE.

Publication Types: Letter

PMID: 3861970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4087866&dopt=Abstract

Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med 1985 Nov-Dec;19(6):73-7

[Toxicological evaluation of the outgassing of tetrafluoroethylene-based thermostable polymeric materials during heating]

[Article in Russian]

Ushakov VFLV, Solomin GI, Tikhonova GP, Gorshunova AI, Liubarskaia II.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the composition and toxicity of fluoroplastic F-40 thermodestruction products at 300-500 degrees C and to identify the maximally allowable temperature for their safe use. When heated over 400 degrees C, the products of [f]luoroplastic F-40 evolution included such compounds as hydrogen fluoride, fluro-organic compounds, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde. When heated at 500 degrees C, the thermodestruction products caused the highest mortality rate of mice. The pathogenesis and clinical development of fluoroplastic F-40 poisoning are primarily associated with fluoro-compounds. It is concluded that the temperature 300 degrees C is the maximum temperature at which tetrafluroethylene-based polymers can be used.

PMID: 4087866 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4002897&dopt=Abstract

Z Urol Nephrol 1985 Mar;78(3):173-6

[Massive skeletal fluorosis in compromised kidney function]

[Article in German]

Schmidt CW, Wurgatsch P, Auermann E.

Report on an 86-year-old man with massive skeletal fluorosis. The disease arose during chronic exposure to fluorides from renal insufficiency caused by arteriosclerosis. The importance of knowing the renal functional parameters in cases of therapeutic use of fluorides is accentuated.

PMID: 4002897 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2868958&dopt=Abstract

Fundam Appl Toxicol 1985 Dec;5(6 Pt 1):1025-33

Experimental acute sodium fluoride poisoning in sheep: renal, hepatic, and metabolic effects.

Kessabi M, Hamliri A, Braun JP, Rico AG.

Sheep received a single intragastric dose of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mmol F-/kg. Mild signs occurred at 1.5 mmol F-/kg and the animals recovered 2 days later. With the 2.0 mmol F-/kg dose all animals showed dullness, anorexia, and mild diarrhea which decreased from the third day. Dose-related congestion of duodenum, liver, kidney, and lung was observed in all animals. For the two higher doses kidney degeneration and tubular necrosis were associated with glomerular inflammation. Serum fluoride had a dose-related increase and was still significantly elevated on Day 7 for sheep given doses higher than or equal to 1.0 mmol F-/kg. Serum calcium and glucose levels were significantly lowered for all doses on the first day and the decrease was dose-related. In sheep given 2.0 mmol F-/kg total proteins and sodium were significantly lowered, whereas potassium and urea were increased (p less than 0.05); alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were both lowered (p less than 0.01) on the first day and ALP was still lowered on Day 7. For the highest dose glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was increased on Days 1 and 7 and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was increased on Day 1 and lowered on Day 7. Diuresis was increased for the two higher doses in Day 3 or 4 following dosage. A dose-related increase of daily fluoride excretion occurred for all doses on Day 1 and fluoride excretion was still significantly elevated on Day 7 except for the lowest dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PMID: 2868958 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4082664&dopt=Abstract

Z Gesamte Hyg 1985 Oct;31(10):568-70

[Evaluation of 2 kinds of food poisoning caused by fluoride compounds]

[Article in German]

Werner U, Enke M, Achtzehn MK, Schlenk B, Giesecke H.

PMID: 4082664 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3995385&dopt=Abstract

Cah Anesthesiol 1985 Jan-Feb;33(1):65-6

[Acute poisoning as a result of ingesting fluorinated anti-rust compounds]

[Article in French]

Marsepoil T, Blin F, Sebbah JL, Zwick N, Ho P.

PMID: 3995385 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2992396&dopt=Abstract

Arch Environ Health 1985 May-Jun;40(3):133-8

A retrospective cohort mortality study of a phosphate fertilizer production facility.

Stayner LT, Meinhardt T, Lemen R, Bayliss D, Herrick R, Reeve GR, Smith AB, Halperin W.

A retrospective cohort mortality study of phosphate fertilizer production workers was undertaken to determine whether this group is at increased risk of dying from any cause, particularly from lung cancer. A total of 3,199 workers who had ever been employed at one facility were included in this investigation. These workers were followed for vital status ascertainment from their first date of employment up to December 1, 1977, or the date of death, whichever occurred first. Overall, no statistically significant elevations in cause-specific mortality were observed for the entire study population. However, when the analysis was stratified by duration of employment, and length of follow-up, a statistically significant (P less than .05) excess in lung cancer mortality was observed among workers with more than 10 yr of employment and follow-up (standardized mortality ratio = 411). Because of the small number of deaths involved, and because we had prior knowledge of a lung cancer cluster at this plant, we believe that these findings should be viewed as suggestive, and that other investigations in plants with similar exposures are needed to clarify whether an occupationally related lung cancer excess truly exists.

PMID: 2992396 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4087054&dopt=Abstract

J Occup Med 1985 Dec;27(12):885-92

Mortality among workers in the Florida phosphate industry. I. Industry-wide cause-specific mortality patterns.

Checkoway H, Mathew RM, Hickey JL, Shy CM, Harris RL Jr, Hunt EW, Waldman GT.

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted on 17,601 white and 4,722 nonwhite male workers in the Florida phosphate mining and chemical processing industry. Concerns about potential risks from naturally-occurring sources of ionizing radiation and anecdotal reports of lung cancer among workers prompted this investigation. Historical follow-up was conducted for the years 1949 to 1978. In comparison with U.S. rates, small excess of mortality rates of lung cancer were observed for white (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] equals 1.22) and nonwhite workers (SMR = 1.24); however, these excesses disappeared when contrasts were made with prevailing rates in Florida. Emphysema mortality was also slightly elevated in comparison with U.S. rates; the SMRs were 1.48 and 1.73 for white and nonwhite workers, respectively. Neither disease was related to overall length of employment. Detailed analyses of mortality in relation to work assignments are presented in the companion article.

PMID: 4087054 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4087055&dopt=Abstract

J Occup Med 1985 Dec;27(12):893-6

Mortality among workers in the Florida phosphate industry. II. Cause-specific mortality relationships with work areas and exposures.

Checkoway H, Mathew RM, Hickey JL, Shy CM, Harris RL Jr, Hunt EW, Waldman GT.

Small excesses of lung cancer and emphysema mortality had been detected among an historical cohort of 17,601 white and 4,722 nonwhite Florida phosphate industry workers. Internal mortality rate comparisons were made between worker subcohorts classified according to length of employment in 16 work areas and according to employment duration in jobs grouped by potential exposures to 10 agents, including alpha radiation. The only consistent associations seen were increased lung cancer mortality rates among long-term workers in plant-wide services and skilled crafts jobs. There was no evidence to support causal associations with exposures characteristic of the phosphate industry.

PMID: 4087055 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Fluoride 1985; 18(2):72-79

Effects of NaF on biochemical processes of isolated sobean chloroplasts

Giannini J, Miller GW, Pushnik JC

Department of Biology, Utah State University and Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Logan, Utah 84322

Summary: Sodium fluoride at concentrations as low as 10mM was found to inhibit the biochemical processes of photosynthesis in isolated soybean chloroplasts. This inhibition was at all times observed at physiologic pH values and within 10 min of exposure to NaF. Further study indicated that the inhibition was exerted at the level of photophosphorylation, which in turn inhibited electron transport.


Fluoride 1985; 18(2):80-86

Neighborhood fluorosis in western India. Part I: environmental study

Bhavsar BS, Desai VK, Mehta NR, Vashi RT, Krishnamachari KAVR*

Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Surat 395001, India;
* National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India

Summary: The present study covers 15 villages and 3 urban residential areas within a 3500 meter radius from the fluoride processing industry manufacturing a refrigeration gas (i.e. Freon) situated on the west coast of India, north of Bombay. Forty-seven samples of drinking water, 44 of fodder and 127 of soil were collected during different seasons from areas surrounding the industry for fluoride estimation to assess the effect of industry on the environment.

Drinking water of the area was not affected. Fluoride deposits on fodder, which decreased in relation to increase in distance from the industry, were minimum during the monsoon season. Findings are discussed in the light of prevailing wind pattern of the area and distance from the industry.

Excerpt: The term "neighborhood fluorosis," which denotes a disease or condition that affects mainly bones and connective tissue of the body observed in the neighborhood of a fluoride-emitting industry, orginated with Murray and Wilson of England in 1946 (1)... In India an industry, processing fluorspar as a raw material, manufacturing refrigertion gas and fluorine-based compounds, has been operating since 1966. It is located about 10 km from the Arabian Sea on the wet coast, north of Bombay. Fluorosis in cattle of the villages located in the vicinity of the industry has been suspected for a number of years; reportedly, the industry has been compensating the owners of the affected cattle...

(1) Murray MM, Wilson DC (1946). Fluorine hazards with special reference to some social consequences of industrial processes. Lancet 2:821-824.


Fluoride 1985; 18(2):86-92

Neighborhood fluorosis in western India. Part II: population study.

Bhavsar BS, Desai VK, Mehta NR, Vashi RT, Krishnamachari KAVR*

Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Surat 395001, India;
* National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India

Summary: The present study covers 15 villages and 3 urban residential areas within a radius of 3500 meters from the fluoride-processing industry (manufacturing a refrigertion gas, i.e. Freon) on the west coast of India, north of Bombay. In a population study of 7059 persons, health complaints, fluorotic dental changes, fluoride excretion in spot urine samples and x-ray of the forearm were used to assess the effect of industry on human health: 17.02% of persons complained of adverse effects to health. Complaints per sick person averaged 1.31%. The prevalence of dental changes (23.58%) was highest in the 7-14-year-old group. Mean fluoride level of 395 spot urine samples was 1.94 ppm. Radiological evidence of fluorosis, usually only seen in older individuals, was observed in 9.5%.


Fluoride 1985; 18(2):93-95

Analytical recording of fluoride in air and food in the Cottbus District

S Melde and H Jursch

Bezirkshygieneinstitut, Cottbus, Germany.

Summary: The effect of fluoride, both that in air and among the many possible contaminants in the daily food, especially from areas with industrial emission, is of interest to the health official. The glass industry which is seldom mentioned in this connection, may play an important role if the process of refinement is combied with hydrofluoric acid etching. To answer this question measurements of air pollution were carried out.

Based on the knowledge that air pollution plays a dominant role in the fluoride content of vegetable food, we investigated such products. Our analysis of fruit and vegetables indicated that only a small increase of the fluroide content occurs in different kinds of food in the observed district. Uptake of fluroride by such food, therefore, seems to be unimportant for the prospective consumers.


Fluoride 1985; 18(2):96-104

Variations of human alveolar bone turnover as a function of F- concentration in the drinking water

A Petrovic and J Stutzmann

INSERM-U.213 et Institut de Physiologie de lat Faculte de Medecine, Strasbourg, France

Abstract: Premolar maxillary or madibular alveolar bone was taken from 7 to 8-year-old boys belonging to two different rural communities, one containing 0.6 ppm of F- (0.6 ppm group) in the drinking water and 1.0 ppm of F- (1.0 ppm group) in the other.

After a three-day organ culture, two parameters were measured: uptake of 45Ca indicating the bone mineralization rate and acid phenylphosphatase activity related to bone resorption rate.

Statistical analysis of the results shows that both the mineralization rate and the resorption rate are slower in alveolar bone taken from the 1.0 ppm group than in alveolar bone taken from the 0.6 ppm group. Similar results were obtained when alkaline phosphatase activity was used to evaluate the human alveolar bone formation rate, and the B-glucuronidase activity was employed to estimate the alveolar bone resorption rate.


Fluoride 1985; 18(2):104-110

Effect of fluoride effuent on fry of Catla catla (Hamilton)

KS Pillai and UH Mane

Department of Zoology, Marathwada University, Aurangabad, India.

Summary: Acute toxicity of fluoride effluent, using static bioassay, was conducted on fish fry, Catla catla. The effluent collected from the discharge point of the fluorine industry, siutated at Bhestan, City Surat, contained 130 ppm fluoride. All fry died within 1 hr. in 100, 90, 80% effluent, within 12 hr. in 50 and 40% effluent and within 16 hr. in 30% effluent. In 20 and 10% effluent, mortality was 98.3 and 23% respectively, within 28 hr. Experiments conduced for 96 hr. using 10, 5.6, 3.2, 1.8 and 1.0% effluent showed 96.7, 71.7, 53.3, 38.3 and 10% mortality, respectively. Fluoride accumulation in fry exposed to these effluent dilution was determined. Fluoride content in fry increased from 95.3+- 14.9 to 382.1 +- 18.8, 97.8 +- 3.7 to 496.4 +- 17.2, 93.3 +- 6.4 to 630.0 + 24.0, and 99.6 +- 4.1 to 766.7 +- 55.1 µg/g, respectively when exposed to effluent dilutions containing 1.2, 2.5, 4.3, 7.2, and 13.2 ppm fluoride for 24-96 hrs. pH values varied depending on effluent dilution and may have contributed to killing the fry.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):4-11

Correlation between occurrence of fluoride in ground and surface water resources and dental fluorosis in Kenya

KR Nair and JN Gitonga

Department of Dental Surgery and Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Summary: In Kenya endemic fluorosis has been chronic for over 30 years. A long-term study conducted by the authors showed that the fluoride content of ground water in Kenya ranged from 0.1 ppm to over 1 ppm in the majority of samples. Surface water contained a maximum of 34 ppm. Over 30% of Kenya's population suffers from dental fluorosis and, in isolated regions where the people depend on ground water for domestic use, nearly 100% of the population manifests varying degrees of dental fluorosis. This paper gives a general picture of the endemicity of dental fluorosis in Kenya and discusses the possible reasons that contribute to variations in incidence and severity of dental fluorosis.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):12-14

Fluoride in Godavari River at Paithan, Marathwada, Maharashtra State

UH Mane and KS Pillai

Department of Zoology, Marathwada University, Aurangabad, India.

Summary: In view of the impact of dam construction and reservoir formation at the Godavari River in Paithan near the city of Aurangabad, India, the level of fluoride in river water and in three species of bivalve mollusks, which form an important link in the food chain of the ecosystem, was estimated. Fluoride levels in river water, collected at variuos distances from the dam, were significantly lower, namely 0.47 +-0.1 ppm l km distant comapred to 0.74 +-0.03 ppm 2.5 km distant. Among bivalve species, fluoride levels in L. marginalis (0.031 + 0,004 µg/g) obtained 1.5 km from the left bank of the river were significantly higher than in L. corrianus (0.026 +- 0.001 µg/g) and in I. caeruleus 0.013 +- 0.001 µg/g) both of which were obtained 1 km from the right bank.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):15-22

Effect of hydrogen fluoride fumigation in Triticum aestivum, Brassica juncea and Phaseolus aureus plants

HC Sharma

NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur, India.

Summary: Thirty-five day old Triticum aestivum (Var. K-68) and Brassica juncea (Varuna, T-59) and 25 day old Phaseolus aureus (Pusa-Vaishakhi) plants were exposed to 20 ppb HF-air mixture for 2 hours daily in a 1.5m3 dynamic polythene chamber. Length of roots, shoot, number of leaves and phytomass generally decreased. Seeds produced were of poor quality.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):22-30

A field study of fluoride pollution over a period of one year in the vicinity of enamelling plants

P Bourbon and C Rioufol

INSERM U. 57, allee Camille Soula, 31320 Vigoulet-Auzil, France et Faculte de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Toulouse, France

Summary: Atmospheric fluoride concentation was measured over a period of one year by two different methods: one using static collectors sensitive to gaseous fluoride derivatives and the other using dynamic collectors which measure the total fluroide content of the air.

Seveal correlations were found: a) correlation between the mean annual values of the static method and the fluroide content of the plants, b) correlation between the static and dynamic sampling methods. The technique usng static samplers is considered the best adapted to the sudy of fluoride pollution.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):30-36

Level of F- in enamel spots under fluoridation and trace concentrations of F- in drinking water

Janczuk Z, Opalko K, Lisiecka K

Department of Conservative Stomatology, Medical Academy, Szczecin, Poland.

Summary: Epidemiological investigation of dentition of children made after eight years of water fluoridation in Szczecin revealed the occurrence of disturbances of enamel mineralization in about 8% of investigted children. In order to explain the cause of observed enamel spots, the level of fluoride in enamel, saliva and urine of children was estimated. The level of enamel and urine fluoride was higher in children with enamel spots than in children with sound enamel. The level of fluoride in salva was almost equal in all children. Additionally, the questionnaires taken from mothers of investigated children revealed that the children with enamel spots took more antibiotics and other drugs during the first three years of their life than the children with sound enamel.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):36-40

Fluoride disribution in two salt-affected soils

RS Lavado and NB Reinaudi

PROSAG Facultad de Agronomia - UBA, Av. San Martin 4453 - 1417 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Summary: In horizon samples of two salt-affected soils from an area where soils are naturally high in F-, total F- was related to clay content. The proportion of F- found in coarse fractions, however, was higher than in the literature. The F- origin and soil texture are the main cause of these results. Only one soil could be considered evolving towards a "normal" F- distribution. Factors affecting these processes include the topographical postion of the soils, height of phreatic waters, and climate.

The resin-extractable F- was low and was not related to soil phosphorus, to other soil properties, or to other soil F- compounds, thereby giving rise to doubts about the advantage of this kind of soil determination. The CaCl2-soluble F- values were high and showed a good correlation with soil pH but were not related to other soil F- forms. Data on F- in organic matter are similar to those in other soils.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):41-46

Effects of fluoride on rabbits fed low calcium diet

M Tsuchida and F Yanagisawa

Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan

Summary: Rabbits were fed a low Ca diet (Ca:0.4%) or a normal Ca diet (CA1.6%) for 8 weeks starting 5 weeks after birth. Subsequently they were given 0, 5, and 15 mg F/kg intraperitoneally. Decrease in serum total Ca and Ca++ and delay in recovery as well as increase in the serum glucose level were more marked in the low Ca group than in the normal Ca counterpart. F- was retained in serum for a long time and urinary excretion was markedly decreasd in the low Ca group. That changes in the toxicity and metabolism of F- occur when the diet is low in Ca was confirmed.


Fluoride 1985; 18(1):46-53

A preliminary investigation of industrial fluorosis in a high fluoride area of China

Yang Z, Luo Y, Zhang L, Zhao A, Ou Y, Ma W, Sha P*, Sun H*, Lin H*

Human Metallurgical Industrial Hygiene Institute, Shu Mu Ling, Changsha, China
* Worker Hospital of Guizhou Aluminum Plant, Guiyang, Guizhou, China

Summary: This paper reports an investigation of industrial fluorosis in an area of Guizhou province, China, with fluoride in drinking water up to 12.5 ppm. In view of the epidemiological analysis, the native workers have suffered dual effects from fluoride. The clinical manifestations, x-ray skeletal changes and laboratory findings differed not onlyl from the original endemic fluorosis but, also, from simple industrial fluorosis. The authors consider th results significant and recommend further studies.


Med Pr 1985;36(1):51-4

[Duration and course of pregnancy in women living in the region of the Police Chemical Plant (clinical data)]

[Article in Polish]

Klokocki D, Pawlicka-Klokocka J.

In an investigation of potential detrimental effects of industrial fluorine compounds in the environment, the pregnancies of 312 women residing near a fluoride-polluting plant in Police, Poland, were compared during 1980-81 with the pregnancies of 137 women living in the non-polluted community of Dabie-Szczecin. The two groups of women were similar with respect to the distribution of their occupations and types of delivery of their babies. However, the proportion of women over age 30 was greater in Police (81/312=26%) than in Dabie-Szczecin (19/137=13.9%).

Although the incidence of miscarriages (9.6% vs 11.7%) and late premature births (6.1% vs 4.4%) was not significantly different between Police and Dabie-Szczecin, the difference in the number of early premature (immature) deliveries (14=4.5% vs 1=0.7%) was significant at the 0.1>p>0.05 level (chi2 = 3.08). The women of Police also had 4 stillbirths (1.3%) and 1 defective birth (0.3%) compared to none in either category in Dabie-Szczecin.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3975128&dopt=Abstract

Pediatrics 1985 Mar;75(3):575-9

Renal clearance of fluoride in children and adolescents.

Spak CJ, Berg U, Ekstrand J.

Renal function and fluoride excretion have been studied in 38 children. The children were divided into three groups according to their glomerular filtration rate: normal (92 to 136 mL/min/1.73 m2 of body surface area [BSA]), low (less than 92 mL/min/1.73 m2 BSA, and super-normal (greater than 136 mL/min/1.73 m2 BSA). Standard clearance technique with infusion of inulin and p-aminohippuric acid during water diuresis was used. Mean renal fluoride clearance was 45.0 +/- 9.8 (SD) mL/min in the group of children with normal glomerular filtration rates and 31.4 +/- 8.8 mL/min in the group with low glomerular filtration rates. This difference was statistically significant. There was a close linear relationship between renal fluoride clearance and glomerular filtration rate, urinary flow, and free water clearance. The fractional fluoride excretion did not differ between the groups. About 60% of the filtered fluoride was reabsorbed. No evidence for tubular secretion exceeding the reabsorption could be found. The results suggest that children have lower renal fluoride clearance rates than adults and indicate that a moderate impairment of the renal function could lead to increased retention of fluoride.

PMID: 3975128 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3932617&dopt=Abstract

J Oral Pathol 1985 Nov;14(10):779-92

Recovery of rat gastric mucosa following single fluoride dosing.

Easmann RP, Pashley DH, Birdsong NL, McKinney RV Jr, Whitford GM.

Rats' stomachs were intubated with 0.1 N HCl or 100 mM NaF in 0.1 N HCl and excised after 1, 12, 24, 48 h or 7 days for light microscopy. The NaF solution caused erosive injury to the oxyntic glandular mucosa 1 h after application. Progressive stages of recovery were seen at 12, 24 and 48 h after fluoride dosing. Complete recovery was seen 7 days after exposure to fluoride. The kinetics of the recovery process from fluoride injury appear to be similar to those which have been reported for gastric injury produced by other substances.

PMID: 3932617 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4032626&dopt=Abstract

J Wildl Dis 1985 Jul;21(3):283-8

Effects of fluoride ingestion on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Suttie JW, Hamilton RJ, Clay AC, Tobin ML, Moore WG.

The effects of the addition of 25 or 50 ppm fluoride (F), as sodium fluoride (NaF), to the rations of 5-mo-old male white-tailed deer were similar to those observed in domestic cattle fed similar amounts of fluoride. The ingestion of 50 ppm F for 2 yr resulted in the accumulation of over 7,000 ppm F in bone ash. Accumulation of fluoride in antlers was extensive and occurred more rapidly than in skeletal tissue. Fluoride ingestion resulted in lesions on the developing incisors that were similar, but not identical to those seen in other species. Increased molar wear in the deer fed 50 ppm F was minimal, and no gross pathology of the mandible was observed. Only mild hyperostosis of the long bones was evident.

PMID: 4032626 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4024153&dopt=Abstract

Toxicol Lett 1985 Jul;26(1):19-24

Effects of fluoride on screech owl reproduction: teratological evaluation, growth, and blood chemistry in hatchlings.

Hoffman DJ, Pattee OH, Wiemeyer SN.

The effects on reproduction in screech owls (Otus asio) of chronic dietary sodium fluoride administration at 0, 40, and 200 ppm were examined. Fluoride at 40 ppm resulted in a significantly smaller egg volume, while 200 ppm also resulted in lower egg weights and lengths. Day-one hatchlings in the 200 ppm group weighed almost 10% less than controls and had shorter crown-rump lengths. No gross abnormalities were apparent. Skeletal clearing and staining revealed significantly shorter tibiotarsus lengths in the 40 ppm and 200 ppm groups and a shorter radius-ulna length in the 200 ppm group. By 7 days of age, body weights and lengths did not differ from controls, but the tibiotarsus in the 200 ppm group remained shorter. No significant differences were detected in hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma calcium or alkaline phosphatase. Plasma phosphorus levels were higher in the 40 ppm group than in controls. These results, in combination with the findings of Pattee et al. [25], revealed significant impairment of overall reproduction, suggesting that sodium fluoride could cause slight to moderate reproduction disorders in owls in fluoride-polluted areas.

PMID: 4024153 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3970400&dopt=Abstract

Ann Emerg Med 1985 Feb;14(2):149-53

Fatal systemic fluorosis due to hydrofluoric acid burns.

Mayer TG, Gross PL.

A patient with a 70% hydrofluoric acid burn developed systemic dissemination of fluoride ion from a 9% to 10% body surface area exposure on the lower extremities. Severe hypocalcemia and intractable ventricular arrhythmias resulted. This case is the second documented occurrence of hypocalcemia from hydrofluoric acid burns. It is the first case to document myocardial injury and systemic fluorosis from a skin burn.

PMID: 3970400 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3865625&dopt=Abstract

No Abstract Available

Acta Odontol Pediatr 1985 Jun;6(1):1-4

Laboratory studies on the dissolution and interaction of fluoride from sodium fluoride tablets.

Hattab F.

PMID: 3865625 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4010579&dopt=Abstract

Med Hypotheses 1985 Apr;16(4):397-402

Fluoride hypersensitivity in mains tap water demonstrated by skin potential changes in guinea-pigs.

Lewis A, Wilson CW.

Changes in skin electric potential following immune challenge provide a sensitive measure of the intensity of the allergic challenge. In guinea-pigs sensitised to Sodium Fluoride, Fluoridated Mains Tap Water, or Ovalbumen with Sodium Fluoride, and then challenged with one part in one million Sodium Fluoride, significant allergic responses were produced. Ovalbumen alone caused an allergic response only after a second challenge. Purified Water did not result in any immune response. It is concluded that Fluoridated Mains Tap Water is capable of causing an allergic response similar to that produced by Sodium Fluoride alone, and that Ovalbumen potentiates the immune response to Sodium Fluoride.

PMID: 4010579 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3871033&dopt=Abstract

No Abstract Available

Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi 1985 Apr;1(4):226-33

Effects of airborne fluorides on workers at a cryolite production plant.

Baba Y, Iwao S, Ishinishi N, Nobutomo K.

PMID: 3871033 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3976164&dopt=Abstract

Vet Hum Toxicol 1985 Feb;27(1):3-6

The availability of fluoride from NaF and phosphorus supplements.

Clay AB, Suttie JW.

The availability of fluoride (F) from dicalcium phosphate (DCP), defluorinated phosphate (DFP), and raw rock phosphate (RRP) has been assessed and compared to the availability of F as NaF. Diets containing 50-55 ppm F were fed to lambs and rats and skeletal F retention determined. The relative availability of F in the different phosphate sources measured by this technique compared to that of NaF was about 50% (DCP), 20% (DFP), and 65% (RRP). Digestibility of F in goats fed similar diets was determined in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design experiment and found to be 38% (DCP), 34% (DFP), 65% (RRP), and 75% (NaF).

PMID: 3976164 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4091492&dopt=Abstract

Ann Rech Vet 1985;16(4):369-77

[Experimental study of fluorosis in lambs]

[Article in French]

Milhaud G, Riviere F, Enriquez B.

Eighty-four lambs weaned at birth were randomised to three groups, each of 28 animals. The amount of fluoride contained in the feed was carefully assessed. Two groups were administered with sodium fluoride. The dose was calculated so as to administer a quantity of fluoride close to the quantity that lambs would ingest in consuming alfalfa containing from 125 to 250 ppm fluoride. The daily amount of fluoride administered to the 1st group rose progressively between week 3 and week 8 from 0.45 to 2 mg/kg/day, then remained fixed until the animals were slaughtered. Group 2 received double amounts: from 0.90 mg/kg/day to 4 mg/kg/day between week 3 and week 8, at which level the amount was fixed. The treatment had no effect on the growth of the lambs: at week 17 their average weight was about 29 kg. Plasma levels of ionic fluorine rose steadily up to week 9, at which they remained fixed at about 0.40 mg/l in group 1 and 0.75 mg/l in group 2, whereas they ranged between 0.10 and 0.15 mg/l in the controls. Ionic fluorine averaged 28% of the total fluoride in the controls, 42% in group 1 and 47% in group 2. Fluoride levels in the bones were very high (up to 2760 ppm in the mandibles in group 2). Reversely, fluoride levels in the muscles were very low: 1.00 ppm in group 2. The biochemical paremeters calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, transaminases, phosphatases and gamma glutamyl transferases greatly varied in relation to the age of the animal but were not affected by fluoride intake.

PMID: 4091492 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4071102&dopt=Abstract

Skeletal Radiol 1985;14(4):276-9

Trabecular stress fractures during fluoride therapy for osteoporosis.

Schnitzler CM, Solomon L.

Joint pain and swelling in patients on fluoride therapy are generally attributed to rheumatic phenomena; however, their occurrence exclusively in the lower limbs suggests a mechanical cause. Eight patients receiving daily doses of sodium fluoride 1.09 mg/kg, elemental calcium 1 gm, and vitamin D 1000-2800 units for osteoporosis spontaneously developed 17 episodes of periarticular pain and swelling in the lower limbs. Radiographs taken within two weeks of the onset of pain were negative, but when repeated 4-6 weeks later showed features of healing stress fractures in the periarticular cancellous bone at the following sites: distal femur (2) proximal tibia (3), distal tibia (6), calcaneum (6). Bone scintigraphy was positive on five occasions, two before radiographic signs had appeared.

PMID: 4071102 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Fluoride 1985; 18(3):131-134

Editorial

Dental Fluorosis and Fluoridation

Excerpt:

Dental fluorosis, an often unsightly condition of the teeth involving difuse, symmetrically-arranged opacities of the enamel, sometimes with yellow or brown staining and pitting, has been the focal point of research ever since its apparent connection with drinking water was discoverd at the beginning of this century. Even before then, early settlers of the U.S. Southwest had encountered it as a form of dental mottling which they called "Texas teeth." But it was not until the year 1931 that fluoride in water consumed during infancy and early childhood was independently recognized as the specific cause by three different teams of scientists (1-3).

In the 1930s, the U.S. Public Health Service conducted surveys to identify endemic areas and correlated them with the fllluoride content of local water supplies. At the same time, data became available suggesting that fluoride in drinking water might also be associated with lower rates of dental caries, especially in children. By 1950, after only five years of trials, health officials agreed to raising the concentration of fluoride in drinking water to 1 mg/L (1 ppm) as a desirable "optimum" for the point of minimum caries and maximum safety" (4) even though they recognized that some individuals would thereby also develop some degree of dental fluorosis.

Previously, in 1943, a concentration of more than 1 ppm flurooide in water had constituted grounds for rejection of a water source because of potential harm (5). Actually, numerous reports of dental fluorosis from levels well below 1 ppm in natural fluoride water (6-10) and from "optimally" fluoridated drinking water (11,12) have appeared. Moreover, dental fluorosis has been reported from fluoride in food and beverages (13,14), from pharmaceuticals (15), from fluoride administered in tablets (16,17), from fluoride-polluted air (18,19), and from various combinations of the foregoing.

It should also be noted that a 1957 report of the American Medical Association (AMA) viewed dental fluorosis as "the most delicate criterion of harm from fluoride (ingestion)" (20). In 1955, crippling skeletal fluorosis had been recorded from as little as 2 ppm fluoride in the drinking water (21). In that same year, the first report of chronic fluoride poisoning from artifically fluoridated water was published (22) ...

(1) Churchill HV (1931). The occurrence of fluorides in some waters of the United States. J Am Water Works Assoc, 23:1399-1403; Ind Eng Chem (1931), 23:996-998. (First announced in Ind Eng Chem, News Ed. (April 10, 1931), 9:105.
(2) Smith MC et al (1931). The cause of mottled enamel. Science, 74:244.
(3) Velu H (1931). Dystrophie dentaire des manniferes des zones phosphates (darmous) et fluorose chronique. C.R. Seances Soc. Biol. Ses. Fil., 108:750-752, Nov. 21.
(4) Hodge HC (1950). The concentration of fluoride in drinking water to give the point of minimal caries with maximum safety. JADA, 40:436-439.
(5) (1943). Part 1, Definition of Terms, Public-Health Service Standards. Public Health Report, 158:75-82, Jan. 15.
(6) Dean HT et al (1942). Domestic water and dental caries. V. Additional studies of the relation of fluoride domestic waters to dental caries experience in 4425 white children, aged 12 to 14 years of 13 cities in 4 states. Public Health Report, 57:1155-1170, August 7.
(7) Nanda RS et al (1974). Factors affecting the prevalence of dental fluorosis in Lucknow, India. Arch. Oral Biol., 19 :781-792.
(8) Ray SK (1981). Prevalence of fluorosis in a rural community near Varanasi. Fluoride, 14:86-90.
(9) Haaviko K et al (1974). The prevalence and distribution of enamel defects in four districts with different fluoride contents in drinking water. Proc. Finn. Dent. Soc., 70:178-185.
(10) Rosensweig KA et al (1963). Prevalence of endemic fluorosis in Israel at medium fluoride concentration. Public Health Reports, 78:77-80.
(11) Ast DB et al (1956). Newburgh-Kingston caries-fluorine study. XIV. Combined clinical and roentgenographic dental findings after ten years of fluoride experience. JADA, 52:314-325.
(12) Russell AL (1962). Dental fluorosis in Grand Rapids during the seventeeth year of fluoridation. JADA, 65:608-612.
(13) Wei ZD et al (1981). Endemic foodborne fluorosis in Guizhou, China. Chinese Preventative Med. J., 13:148-151.
(14) Forsman B (1984). Early supply of fluoride and enamel fluorosis. Scand. J. Dent. Res., 85:22-30...
(15) Feltman R et al (1956). Fluoride in pharmaceutical preparations. Northwest Medicine, 55:663-664.
(16) Thylstrup A et al (1979). Enamel changes and dental caries in 7-year old children given fluoride tablets from shortly after birth. Caries Res., 13:265-276.
(17) Aasenden R et al (1974). Effects of fluoride supplementation from birth on human deciduous and permanent teeth. Arch. Oral Biol., 19:321-326.
(18) Li S (1983). Mottled enamel due to air contaminated by burning coal in the room. Chinese Journal of Stomatology, 18:114-116.
(19) Desai VK et al (1983). Clinical radiological observations among workers of fluoride processing industry. Fluoride, 16:90-100.
(20) (1957). Statement on fluoridation of public water supplies by the House of Delegates of the American Medical Assoc., Dec. 3-6.
(21) Steinberg CL et al (1955). Comparison of rheumatoic (Ankylosing) spondylitis and crippling fluorosis. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 14:378-384, December.
(22) Waldbott GL (1955). Incipient chronic fluoride intoxication from drinking water. I. Report on 52 cases. Acta Medica Scand., 156:157-168.


Fluoride 1985; 18(3):135-140

Trial of magnesium compounds in the prevention of skeletal fluorosis - an experimental study

Reddy DR, Lahiri K, Ram NV, Rao M, Vedanayakam HS, Ebenezer LN, Mohan SR

Nizam's Institute of Orthopedics and Specialties, Panjagutta Hyderabad, India.

Summary: Magnesium compounds are beneficial to some extent because they lessen the amount of fluoride retained in bones. However they fail to prevent the development of fluorosis in animals or in humans in endemic regions. For this reason, we are searching for better compounds or methods to prevent and treat cases of fluorosis.


Fluoride 1985; 18(3):140-145

Evaluation of community fluorosis index for the Indian population in endemic fluorosis areas

M Rahmatulla and A Rajasekar

Kilpauk Medical College and Stanley Medical College, Madras, India.

Summary: Two communities in endemic and nonendemic areas of the Salem district in Tamilnadu State, South India, were studied according to Dean's community fluorosis index (SFI), the upper acceptable limit of which was set at 0.6. When this limit is exceeded in a community, the fluoride in water is considered a public health problem requiring defluoridation measures. Among other communities studied, one with 0.5 ppm F- in local water revealed a CFI of 1.25 which apparently constitutes a public health problem. The authors disagree with the suggestion that the upper CFI limit in Indian communities be raised in the absence of extensive base line data on climatic conditions, dietary habits and nutritional status of Indian communities, particularly in nutritionally poor rural communities which may be more vulnerable to the toxic effects of fluoride.


Fluoride 1985; 18(3):149-156

Epidemiological study on endemic fluorosis in the village Khera in Punjab

Sidhu SS*, Batish KL*, Batish MK**, Bhatnagar DP***, Makhni SS*

* Department of Anatomy, ** Department of Pediatrics, *** Department of Human Biology, Government Medical College and Punjabi University, Patiala, India.

Summary: The present study is based on epidemiological data on 50 cases (30 males and 20 females) of endemic fluorosis. Epidemiological data, which were collected, pertain to duration of residence in the endemic area which leads to fluorosis, age of onset of pathological condition, literacy, socio-economic and nutritional status and clinical symptomatology. Detailed clinical examinations were underataken which pertain to the incidence of the various symptoms of skeletal fluorosis namely, dental mottling, joint pains, stiffness of joints and pain in back, difficulty in rising from a squatting position, weakness of limbs, crippling causing the patient to be bedridden and loss of sensory perception.


Fluoride 1985; 18(3):163-168

Accumulation of fluoride in leaves of shurbs in the vicinity of a fluorine idustry

KS Pillai and UH Mane

Department of Zoology, Marathwada University, City Aurangabad, India

Summary: Deposition of fluoride on surface and accumulation in tissues of leaves of 4 species of shrubs, namely, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica, Calotropis procera, and Zizyphus nummularia in the vicinity of a fluoride industry was studied. The amount of fluoride deposited on the surface of C. procera leaves was significantly higher (P <0.05) than on the leaves of the other 3 species. Depostion of fluoride was not significantly different (P >0.05) between P. juliflora, A. nilotica and Z. nummularia. The four species varied significantly (P <0.05) in the level of fluoride accummulation in leaf tissues.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):187-197

Boron as an antidote to fluorosis? Part 1. Studies on the skeletal system.

Franke J, Runge H, Bech R, Wiedner W, Kramer W, Kochmann W, Hennig A, Ludke H, Seffner W, Teubner W, Franke M, Moritz W, Barthold L, Geinitz D

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Academy, Erfurt, Germany

Summary: The antidote action of boron and aluminum sulphate in chronic fluorine intoxication was tested on 8 groups of domestic pigs over a period of 13 months. To the diet of pigs, given 7 mg NaF/kg/d, 4 and 8 mg B/kg/d and 0.1 g of aluminum sulphate was added as an antidote. NaF feeding caused chronic bone fluorosis. Although boron did not lead to reduction in fluorine storage in the skeleton, it exerted a certain detoxicating effect due to formation of less toxic boron fluorine complexes. Respecting the skeletel system, direct F action (increase of bone mass) is, at least partially, compensated by direct boron action upon bone (decrease in bone mass with reduced parathyoid activity). Aluminum sulphate reduces F absorption and F retention in the skeleton by 25 to 29%, concurrent inhibition of calcium absorption from the intestine results in secondary hyperparathyroidism and decrease to bone mass.

According to these experiments, boron or aluminum sulphate are unsuitable prophylactically in humans chronically exposed to fluoride because of individual reaction to fluoride and because of the toxic action of boron and aluminum sulphate upon bone. Short-term administration of boron for more rapid detoxication in fluorosis cases may be permissible during exposure to fluoride and after exposure to the pollutant has been discontinued.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):198-203

Fluorosis in Nalgonda District in relation to chemical characteristics of potable water and staple food

K Rajyalakshmi and NVR Rao

Institute of Preventive Medicine, Hyderabad, India.

Summary: Nalgonda district in Andhra Pradesh is one of the areas in the state which is affected by fluorosis. Several thousand individuals are crippled and lead a vegetative life. Epidemiological, nutritional, clinical, radiological and laboratory investigation have been carried out to correlate the onset and severity of the disease with the chemical chracteristics of potable waters and staple foods. The invetigations have revealed the prevalence of cases of severe fluorosis associated with fluoride concentrtions as low as 4.0 mg/l in drinking water. Low calcium intake through foods and low calcium and excessive bicarbonate content of drinking water are important factors which influence the severity of the disease. Some of the staple foods grown in the area contribute significant amounts of fluoride.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):203-207

Sequence of fluorotic changes in long bones of males and females.
(An experimental study in rabbits.)

Mittal RL, Makhni SS, Markan DK

Government Medical College Rajendera Hospital, Patiala, India

Summary: The higher incidence of fluorosis in males than in females, to date, has not been explored. In the present study, the sequence of fluorotic changes in the long bones of male and female rabbits has been noted. Eighty rabbits were divided into two batches of forty each, twenty males and twenty females in each batch. Half of the animals of each sex served as controls. The experimental animals received 2 mgm NaF per kgm body weight per day subcutaneously. One batch was sacrificed after four months; the second, after eight months. Long bones were removed; the weight per unit length of these bones was calculated. Radiological and hitological studies were carried out. In females, osteosclerotic changes took place from the very beginning whereas, in males, osteoporosis is followed by osteosclerosis, a significant finding not reported previously in clinical fluorosis in this part of the country which is an endemic flurosis belt.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):208-211

Deposition velocity of ambient fluorides on experimental grass cultures

De Temmerman L, Baeten H, Raekelboon EL

Institut de Recherches Cliniques, Ministere de l'agric, Tervuren, Belgium

Summary: Fluoride deposition velocities ere calculatd on experimental grass cultures in containers. The calculated values reached a maximum during the summer when they were based on "ground surface units" coverd by plants. However, when the same values were recalculated based on "units of leaf surface", the deposition rates in relation to ambient fluoride concentration were fairly constant over the growing season, despite the changing growing conditions and the different activity of the plants. Therefore the absorption of fluoride by plants must be principally a physical process.

The general deposition velocity on the leaf surface of grass amounted to an average of 1.20 mms-1. In a limited period of time this value was strongly influenced by climatic conditions.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):212-216

Fluoride contamination in relation to land faults in La Rioja, Spain

IJ Dominguez

From the author's M.S. thesis performed under the direction of the faculty of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Spain.

Summary: 170 samples from water supplies, wells, springs, and rivers in different parts of the province of La Rioja in the northwestern part of Spain were analyzed to determine the fluoride content and conductivity. This area, which covers 5,034 sq. mi., has a population of 237,000 inhabitants. In general, elevated fluoride values coincide with the geological land faults in the region.


Fluoride 1985; 18(4):221-226

Effects of supplemental vitamin E on dental fluorosis in rats. A qualitative preliminary study.

AW Burgstahler

Department of Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA

Summary: A daily oral supplement (10-15 mg) of [cannot reproduce scientific name] (vitamin E) given to rats consuming a standard laboratory diet with 23, 45, or 90 ppm fluoride in their drinking water did not prevent or delay the development of fluorosis in their incisor teeth. However, the fluorotic dental mottling in the vitamin E-supplemented rats, especially in the females, was less pronounced and gradually lost its alternating brown and white horzontal striations. Moreover, the lower incisors of the vitamin-E supplemented females showed more wear attrition than did those of either the nonsupplemented females or the supplemented or nonsupplemented males.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3989030&dopt=Abstract

J Am Acad Dermatol 1985 Apr;12(4):719-20

Aggravation of dermatitis herpetiformis by dental fluoride treatments.

Bovenmyer DA.

Publication Types:

Letter

PMID: 3989030 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3964992&dopt=Abstract

Am J Epidemiol 1985 Jan;121(1):57-64

Mortality and cancer morbidity after heavy occupational fluoride exposure.

Grandjean P, Juel K, Jensen OM.

A cohort of 431 male cryolite workers employed for at least six months between 1924 and 1961 was identified from personnel records at the Copenhagen cryolite factory. During this period, heavy fluoride exposure resulted in at least 74 cases of skeletal fluorosis. All workmen in the cohort were followed up in Denmark until July 1, 1981. During 1941-1981, 206 men died, while only 149.3 deaths were expected from national mortality statistics. Significant excesses were seen in the following causes of death: violent death and all cancers, in particular cancer of the respiratory system. When compared with specific mortality rates for the Copenhagen area, violent death (and suicide taken alone) remained in significant excess among employees hired before 1940. Cancer morbidity data for the 35-year period 1943-1977 showed 78 cases of malignant neoplasms in the cryolite workers against 53.2 expected for Denmark as a whole and 67.9 for Copenhagen. The excess was almost entirely due to an excess number of respiratory cancers. Cancer morbidity showed no apparent correlation with length of employment or time from first exposure. Because detailed information on predictors for respiratory cancer was unavailable, a possible residual effect of fluoride cannot be excluded. However, any major carcinogenic effect of heavy fluoride exposure would be very unlikely.

PMID: 3964992 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Am J Clin Nutr 1985 Oct;42(4):701-7

Dietary fluoride intake of 6-month and 2-year-old children in four dietary regions of the United States.

Ophaug RH, Singer L, Harland BF.

Based upon the analysis of 44 market basket food collections, the average daily dietary fluoride intakes of 6-mo-old and 2-yr-old children residing in cities with water fluoride levels of 0.05 to 1.04 ppm were determined. In cities with greater than 0.7 ppm fluoride in the drinking water, a 6-mo-old child (infant) and a 2-yr-old child (toddler) had mean dietary fluoride intakes of 0.418 mg/day (0.052 mg/kg body weight) and 0.621 mg/day (0.050 mg/kg body weight) respectively. The data indicate that the average dietary fluoride intake of infants and toddlers did not exceed 0.08 mg/kg, and in all but three cases was within or below the optimum range of 0.05-0.07 mg/kg. The ingestion of fluoride-containing dentifrice or milk formula diluted with fluoridated water may result in intake levels exceeding that associated with the development of dental fluorosis (0.1 mg F/kg body wt).

PMID: 4050730 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3867689&dopt=Abstract

J Dent Res 1985 Nov;64(11):1302-5

Dietary fluoride intake of 15-19-year-old male adults residing in the United States.

Singer L, Ophaug RH, Harland BF.

The average daily dietary fluoride intakes of 15-to-19-year-old males were estimated from the analysis of 24 FDA "market basket" food collections made from 1975 to 1982. The data indicate that 15-to-19-year-old males residing in fluoridated (greater than 0.7 ppm) cities had an average daily dietary fluoride intake of 1.85 mg/day when the diet provided an estimated caloric intake of 11.72 megajoules (2800 calories). In non-fluoridated cities, with less than 0.3 ppm in the drinking water, the average dietary fluoride intake was 0.86 mg/day. The beverages and drinking water contributed an average of 75 +/- 2% of the daily dietary fluoride intake.

PMID: 3867689 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3422610&dopt=Abstract

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1988 Feb;16(1):11-5

Fluoride intake from beverage consumption.

Clovis J, Hargreaves JA.

Alberta Community and Occupational Health, Edmonton, Canada.

Previous studies have shown that fluoride is present in beverages prepared with fluoridated water. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of fluoride from beverages consumed in adjacent fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities taking into account fluoride supplementation regimens. Children in grade six were invited to participate in recording of beverage intake in two cities in Alberta, Canada: Wetaskiwin, with water supplies fluoridated at 1.08 ppm F, and Camrose, non-fluoridated with water supplies at 0.23 ppm F. Three-day beverage intake records--"Drink Diaries"--were collected from 179 children in Wetaskiwin and 230 children in Camrose. Fluoride values, based on the analyses of Hargreaves, were assigned to the reported consumption of the children with the three highest and three lowest total beverage intakes in each community. A wide range of available fluoride was found. A substantial source of fluoride was shown to be available in the non-fluoridated community from beverages other than water, primarily from carbonated beverages commercially prepared with fluoridated water. Available beverages and actual consumption should be considered in the prescription of fluoride supplementation for children with minimal fluoride in their drinking water.

PMID: 3422610 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2893047&dopt=Abstract

Lancet 1988 Jan 30;1(8579):223-5

Unsuitability of World Health Organisation guidelines for fluoride concentrations in drinking water in Senegal.

Brouwer ID, Dirks OB, De Bruin A, Hautvast JG.

Department of Human Nutrition, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

A survey was done of the prevalence of dental fluorosis among children aged 7-16 years and the occurrence of skeletal fluorosis among adults aged 40-60 years living in regions in Senegal where fluoride concentrations in the drinking water ranged from less than 0.1 to 7.4 mg/l. In the area where the fluoride concentration in the drinking water was 1.1 mg/l milder forms of dental fluorosis were found, the prevalence being 68.5%. In areas where fluoride concentrations exceeded 4 mg/l the prevalence of dental fluorosis reached 100%. Kyphosis was very prevalent among a community whose drinking water contained 7.4 mg/l fluoride. Radiographs of the vertebral column, hand, and wrist of 3 adults with kyphosis confirmed the diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis. High sweat loss and a high intake of water because of the hot weather may account for the finding. The present World Health Organisation guideline for the upper limit of fluoride concentration in drinking water may be unsuitable for countries with a hot, dry climate.

PMID: 2893047 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3882443&dopt=Abstract

Eur J Respir Dis 1985 Feb;66(2):105-18

Acute and long-term airway hyperreactivity in aluminium-salt exposed workers with nocturnal asthma.

Simonsson BG, Sjoberg A, Rolf C, Haeger-Aronsen B.

Nineteen young male workers exposed occupationally from 1975-1977 to inhaled particles of aluminium fluoride or sulphate at 2 plants, developed nocturnal wheezing and breathlessness with reversible airways obstruction after an average of 4 months employment. At standardized methacholine provocation tests (MPT), 17 of 19 workers with normal spirometry showed airway hyperreactivity with a fall of FEV1 of greater than or equal to 15% after 0.1% methacholine. We followed 15 initially asthmatic workers for 2-5 years with MPT. Mean TD 15% FEV1 in 11 workers did not change significantly after an average of 41 months of non-exposure. Six workers continuously exposed for 48 months also failed to change their TD 15% FEV1 MCh. In 1983, only one subject had returned to normal airway reactivity. We have no reason to suspect inducing agents other than aluminium salts.

PMID: 3882443 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2579565&dopt=Abstract

No Abstract available

Am J Otol 1985 Jan;6(1):51-5

Clinical studies on fluoride in otospongiosis.

Causse JR, Causse JB.

PMID: 2579565 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2579564&dopt=Abstract

No Abstract available

Am J Otol 1985 Jan;6(1):38-42

Objective changes in trypsin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and alpha 2-macroglobulin values as a result of sodium fluoride treatment in patients with otosclerosis.

Causse JR, Uriel J, Berges J, Bretlau P, Shambaugh GE Jr, Causse JB.

PMID: 2579564 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3861863&dopt=Abstract

J Public Health Dent 1985 Summer;45(3):142-8

The opposition to fluoride programs: report of a survey.

Watson ML.

State dental directors were surveyed in spring 1984 regarding fluoridation and fluoride programs. Forty-four states reported existing fluoride mouth-rinse programs in schools; 22, fluoride tablets in schools. About 90 percent of directors felt that support for fluoride programs by state departments of health and constituent dental societies either had remained the same or increased over the previous five years. Approximately half felt the antifluoridation movement to be as strong as five years earlier. About one-third indicated a shift in focus by water fluoridation opponents to include other fluoride systems. Most felt this shift occurred during 1981-82. Information was reported on 255 individual challenges to fluoride programs. Results of this survey indicate that expenditure of considerable resources and effort continues to be necessary to ensure the longevity of public fluoride systems.

PMID: 3861863 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3976163&dopt=Abstract

Vet Hum Toxicol 1985 Feb;27(1):20-1

No Abstract available

Toxic ducks--1080 residues in game birds. An exercise in applied toxicology.

Temple WA, Edwards IR.

PMID: 3976163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4062523&dopt=Abstract

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1985;104(3):191-5

A case of bone fluorosis of undetermined origin.

Sandberg D, Zichner L.

After predominant theories on the causes of fluorosis are described and remarks made about the metabolism of fluoride, an observation of bone fluorosis in a 64-year-old patient is reported. Because, despite painstaking research, none of the known causes of bone fluorosis could be found in our patient, a new pathomechanism is being offered for discussion, i.e., increased renal or intestinal absorption or an increase of fluoride deposited in the bone; i.e., an inborn or acquired error of fluoride metabolism. We recently observed a similar case with none of the well-known origins.

PMID: 4062523 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3975596&dopt=Abstract
Sci Prog 1985 Autumn;69(275):429-42

Abstracted in Fluoride 1985; 18(4):230-231]

A surfeit of fluoride?


Smith GE.

PMID: 3975596 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


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