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1995 Fluoride Abstracts. Part 2.
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IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum 1995;63:467-75
No Abstract available
Vinyl fluoride.
Publication Types: Review Review, Academic
PMID: 9097106 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Acta Paediatr Jpn 1995 Aug;37(4):503-6
- As cited and abstracted in Fluoride 2000; 33(2):85
Increased incidence of spina bifida occulta in fluorosis prone areas
Gupta SK, Gupta RC, Seth AK, Chaturvedi CS
Department of Physiology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, India.
Spina bifida, a congenital deformity of the posterior wall of vertebrae of the spine, is a midline defect of skin, vertebral arches and neural tube, usually in the lumbosacral region. Its incidence is reported to be 0.2 to 0.4 per 1000 live births. Various hypotheses have been put forward as etiological factors for spina bifida including consumption of potato affected by blight and hardness of drinking water but these have not been proven. Two groups of 50 randomly chosen children were established. The study group consisted of children aged 5 to 12 years, weighing 15 to 30 kg, consuming fluoride-rich drinking water (4.5 and 8.5 ppm fluoride; WHO permissible limit is 1.5 ppm fluoride), and manifesting either clinical, dental and/or skeletal fluorosis. The control group consisted of age and weight-matched children, consuming less than or equal to 1.5 ppm fluoride in drinking water and not showing any evidence of fluoride tox-icity. These children were evaluated for antenatal history, general clinical ex-amination (especially for dimples, tufts of hair, haemangioma on skin throughout the length of spine), other congenital abnormalities, evidence of fluoride toxicity, biochemical estimation for fluoride levels in blood and serum and by skiagrams of the spine to examine for the presence of spina bifida occulta. A total of 22 (44%) of the 50 children in group A, the study group, and 6 (12%) of the 50 children in group B, the control group, revealed spina bifida occulta in the lumbosacral region.
[Note from FAN: Teflon is a fluorinated plastic also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ]Inhal Toxicol 1995 Jan-Feb;7(1):111-24
Association of particulate air pollution and acute mortality: involvement of ultrafine particles?
Oberdorster G, Gelein RM, Ferin J, Weiss B.
Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, New York, USA.
Recent epidemiological studies show an association between particulate air pollution and acute mortality and morbidity down to ambient particle concentrations below 100 micrograms/m3. Whether this association also implies a causality between acute health effects and particle exposure at these low levels is unclear at this time; no mechanism is known that would explain such dramatic effects of low ambient particle concentrations. Based on results of our past and most recent inhalation studies with ultrafine particles in rats, we propose that such particles, that is, particles below approximately 50 nm in diameter, may contribute to the observed increased mortality and morbidity In the past we demonstrated that inhalation of highly insoluble particles of low intrinsic toxicity, such as TiO2, results in significantly increased pulmonary inflammatory responses when their size is in the ultrafine particle range, approximately 20 nm in diameter. However, these effects were not of an acute nature and occurred only after prolonged inhalation exposure of the aggregated ultrafine particles at concentrations in the milligrams per cubic meter range. In contrast, in the course of our most recent studies with thermodegradation products of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) we found that freshly generated PTFE fumes containing singlet ultrafine particles (median diameter 26 nm) were highly toxic to rats at inhaled concentrations of 0.7-1.0 x 10(6) particles/cm3, resulting in acute hemorrhagic pulmonary inflammation and death after 10-30 min of exposure. We also found that work performance of the rats in a running wheel was severely affected by PTFE fume exposure. These results confirm reports from other laboratories of the highly toxic nature of PTFE fumes, which cannot be attributed to gas-phase components of these fumes such as HF, carbonylfluoride, or perfluoroisobutylene, or to reactive radicals. The calculated mass concentration of the inhaled ultrafine PTFE particles in our studies was less than 60 micrograms/m3, a very low value to cause mortality in healthy rats. Aging of the fumes with concomitant aggregation of the ultrafine particles significantly decreases their toxicity. Since ultrafine particles are always present in the urban atmosphere, we suggest that they play a role in causing acute lung injury in sensitive parts of the population.
PMID: 11541043 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7796679&dopt=AbstractZhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 1995 Mar;29(2):103-5
[Relationship between bone fluoride content, pathological change in bone of aborted fetuses and maternal fluoride level]
[Article in Chinese]
Shi J, Dai G, Zhang Z.
Department of Epidemiology, China Medical University, Shenyang.
Relationship between bone fluoride content, pathological change in bone of aborted fetuses and maternal fluoride level was studied in 46 pregnant women and their inducedly-aborted fetuses. Results showed fluoride content in fetal femur averaged 368.2 micrograms/g, and 41.4% of the bone with pathological change. Fluoride levels in maternal urine and amniotic fluid and fluoride content in fetal femur and pathological change in fetal femur appeared a positive correlation between them. Femur fluoride content and pathological change of bone in fetuses born to mothers with mottling teeth were significantly greater than to those without them. Pathological change in fetal femur presented dose-response relationship with their bone fluoride content. When the latter reached greater than 500 micrograms/g, pathological changes occurred in 90% of the bone.
PMID: 7796679 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Fluoride 1995; 28(1):10-16Fluoride content of dairy milk from supermarket
A possible contributing factor to dental fluorosisLiu C (a), Wyborny LE (b), Chan JT (b,c)
(a) Department of Stomatlogy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
(b) Oral Biology Research Laboratory, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
(c) For correspondence: Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Dental Branch, PO Box 20068, Houston, Texas 77225, USASummary: Fluoride analyses were carried out on 42 different types and brands of milk obtained from supermarkets. The average fluoride content of dairy milk is 0.030 ppm, with a range of 0.007 to 0.068. Soy milk contains as much as 0.491 ppm fluoride. Infant daily fluoride intake as low as 0.04 mg/kg body weight can result in fluorosis of the permanent dentition. Therefore, in view of the very large variation in milk fluoride content, it is suggested that daily consumption of milk with high fluoride content could be a contributing factor to increased prevalence of dental fluorosis. In view of results of the present study, monitoring of fluoride content in dairy milk available from supermarkets may be necessary.
Excerpt: ... Although milk is known to interfere with the rate of fluoride absorption, a human study has demonstrated that 67 to 82% of total fluoride in milk is absorbed (32). A typical six-month old infant weighing about 7 kg consumes about 1.2 liters of fluid daily. If the fluid happens to be a certain brand of milk that contains 0.068 ppm fluoride, then the daily fluoride available from milk alone could be as much as 0.059 mg. In view of the estimation that, for infants, a daily intake of fluoride as low as 0.04 mg/kg body weight can result in dental fluorosis of the permanent dentition (33), a daily fluoride intake of 0.059 mg from milk will represent 21% of daily fluoride intake of the borderline ( 7 x 0.04 = 0.28 mg) for dental fluorosis. Even though consumption of milk alone is not likely to cause dental fluorosis, intake of milk with high fluoride content together with fruit juices, beverages such as tea (34), and baby food, especially those with meat containing considerably more fluroide than milk, the safety level of daily fluoride consumption could easily be exceeded by such combination of diet. Furthermore, in infants who are allergic to cows' milk, soy-based mik is often substituted, and this contains as much as 0.491 ppm fluoride (Table 1), easily exceeding the safety level for prevention of dental fluorosis. Health-care providers therefore need to take into consideration the fluoride level of the milk that is being consumed by their pediatric patients when prescribing fluoride supplements. Results from the present investigation show that there is a need to monitor the fluoride content of milk available from supermarkets. Dairy companies should consider providing the public with information on fluoride content of all dairy products.
References:
32. Spak CJ et al. (1982). Bioavability of fluoride added to baby formula and milk. Caries Research 16:249-256.
33. Fejerskov O et al. (1988). Dental fluorosis. Handbook for health workers. Munksgaard, Copenhagen.
34. Wei SHY et al. (1989). Concentration of fluoride and selected other elements in teas. Nutrition 5:237-240.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7580328&dopt=AbstractAOAC Int 1995 Jul-Aug;78(4):897-909
Survey of lead, cadmium, fluoride, nickel, and cobalt in food composites and estimation of dietary intakes of these elements by Canadians in 1986-1988.
Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD.
Health and Welfare Canada, Health Protection Branch, Ottawa, ON.
During the period 1986-1988, foods were purchased at the retail level in 5 Canadian cities and, for each city, prepared for consumption and combined into 113 composites and 39 composite subsets. Lead and cadmium were determined in all the samples; fluoride, in samples from Winnipeg; and cobalt and nickel, in samples from Montreal. Means and ranges of concentrations (ng/g) found in individual samples were lead, 23.2 (< 0.4-523); cadmium, 9.96 (< 0.02-167); fluoride, 325 (11-4970); nickel, 196 (< 0.6-2521); and cobalt, 9.4 (< 0.3-75.7). Estimated dietary intakes (microgram/day) of the elements over all ages and sexes were lead, 24; cadmium, 13; fluoride, 1763; nickel, 286; and cobalt, 11. During the period 1985-1988, the average level of lead in canned foods decreased from 73.6 to 46 ng/g.
PMID: 7580328 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Fluoride 1995; 28(1):17-20Water fluoride in the Molo division of Nakuru District, Kenya
Gikunju JK *, Mbaria JM, Mureithi W, Kyule MN, McDermott JJ, Maitho TE
* Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya.
Summary: Water samples were collected from 40 househlds in four sublocations of the Molo division of the Rift Valley in Nakuru District of Kenya. The mean fluoride concentration was 0.28 +- 0.03 ppm. Of the samples collectd, 62.5% were from streams/springs, 15.0% from tap water, 10.0% from borehole water, 10.0% from dam water, and 2.5% from rain water. Turi sublocation had 75% of the total number of boreholes in this study, and had the highest mean fluroide concentration (0.44 +- 0.06ppm), whereas Kamara had the lowest mean fluoride concentration (0.19 +- 0.08 ppm). Kerisol and Sachagwan sublocation had mean fluroide concentrations of 0.21 +- 0.07 ppm and 0.32 +- 0.04 ppm, respectively. Borehole water had more fluoride (0.66 ppm) than any other water soruce, while rain water had the least amount of fluoride (0.07 ppm). The highest fluroide encountered in this study was 2.0 ppm while the lowest was 0.6 ppm.
Fluoride 1995; 28(1):21-24Intestinal effects of sodium fluoride in Swiss albino mice
Sondhi H, Gupta ML, Gupta GL
Zoology Department, Dungar College, Bikaner 334 001, India
Summary: Adult Swiss Albino mice (6-7 weeks old) were treated wth sodium fluoride (NaF) until autopsy. The organo-somatic index, histology and biochemistry of the intestines were observed at commencement of treatment on the 7th, 15th and 30th day. The crypt cells exhibited cytoplasmic degranulation and vacuolation. Hydropic degeneration in lamina propria and muscular tissue, increase in the number of goblet cells, broken tips of villi, nuclear pyknosis, and abnormal mitoses were observed. The organo-somatic index decrased significantly on days 7 and 15. Total protein and cholesterol values declined significantly, whereas those of glycogen and acid, and alkaline phosphatase activites, increased significantly on day 7 and to day 30. The results provide evidence of intestinal involvement in fluorosis.
Fluoride 1995; 28(1):25-28Report of the Sixth Fluorine Symposium in Poland
Anna Machoy-Mokrzynska
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Toxicology, Pomeraian Medical Academy, Szczecin, Poland.Introduction to the Sixth Fluorine Symposium in Poland
John Colquhoun
Auckland, New Zealand
Full report available at http://www.fluoridealert.org/HCanada-93.pdfFluoride 1995; 28(1):29-32
Inorganic fluorides.
Canadian Environmental Protection Action.
(Priority Substances List Assessment Report)
Goverment of Canada 1993ISBN 0-662-21070-9, Cat. No. En40-215/32E, Minister of Supply and Services Canada, Canada Communication Group Publishing, Ottawa 1993.
Reviewed by RG Foulkes
Dr. Richard G Goules, PO Box 278, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 4N9
Excerpt: ... The principal inorganic fluorides assessed were: hydrogen fluoride (HF); calcium fluoride (CaF2); sodium fluoride (NaF); and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)... The strong suit in this study is the concise review of the known effects of anthropogenic sources of fluoride on plants and other biota such as ungulates and aquatic species... Total inorganic fluoride emitted to the environment annually in Canada from anthropogenic sources is estimated to be 23,500 tons. The amount released to the water is estimated to be 13,500 tonnes, 80% of which is attributed to phosphate fertilizer production (11,000 tonnes). The authors give indirect evidence to enable the reader to calculate that approximately 10 milion people in Canada are "fluoridated" and that the annual release of inorganic fluoride from this source is approximately 2000 tonnes. This puts this source in second place, behind phosphate fertilizer production, but ahead of chemical production (1362 tonnes), coal-fired power (555 tonnes), primary aluminum production (307 tonnes), and others that are identified.
Fluoride 1995; 28(1):3-9Water fluoridation in New Zealand: an analysis and monitoring report
Public Health Commission Rangapu
Hauora Tumatanui, Wellington 1994Reviewed by Bruce Spittle
Department of Psychological Medicine, Medical School, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand
Fluoride 1995; 28(2):61-70Influence of dietary fluoride intake on urinary fluoride concentration and evaluation of corrected levels in spot urine
Watanabe M, Kono K, Orita Y, Dote T, Usuda K, Takahashi Y, Yoshida Y
Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan
Summary: The urinary fluoride (F) concentration is recognized as an indication of F intake of preceding days. Since F is found naturally in water suppies, plants and animals, urinary F is readily affected by various food intakes. In this study, the influence of dietary F intake on urinary F concentrations was investigated, as well as the validity of spot urine samples as indices of F exposure.
Subjects were eight healthy female adults (age: 21 +- 1 year) who stayed for 16 days, for the analysis of F metabolism, in a human experimental facility of the National Institute of Nutrition. F concentrations in the diets and urine were analyzed by the F ion specific electrode method, or its combination with the steam distilliation method after ashing procedure.
F intake during 24 hrs from foods usually consumed in Japan, exclusive of green tea which contains a high amount of F (1.5 ppm), ranged from 0.79 to 2.74 mg/day. The levels were the same as have been reported in fluoridated communities. The excretion ratio of ingested F in the urine during 24 hrs was 18 to 35%. With 2.73 mgF/day itake, urinary F concentration reached 1.17 ppm at 3.5 hrs after dinner intake, and maintained that level to the next morning. The results showed that F excretion continued for several hrs after the intake from the diets. The amount of F in the diets and F excretion in 24-hr urine were well correlated (r = +0.95). Correlation coefficients with spot urine, with or without corrections for specific gravity or creatinine, were over +0.82.
The results show that, when estimating the F body burden, particularly due to low F exposure, it is necessary to monitor accurately F intake from diets. It is also suggested that the use of spot urine F concentration, with or without correction, is a valid procedure.
Fluoride 1995; 28(2):71-74Effect of fluoride on human salivary amylase activity
K Hara (a) and M-H Yu (b)
(a) On sabbatical leave from Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan
(b) Center for Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of Environmental Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9181Summary: The effect of various concentrations of NaF on human salivary amylase was studied. Sodium fluoride was found to inhibit the enzyme when the fluoride concentration was at and above 5 x 10-2 M.
Fluoride 1995; 28(2):87-104How science can illuminate ethical debates. A case study on water fluroidation.
Mark Diesendorf
Human Ecology Program, Department of Geography, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
Summary: Some of the fundamental questions about the fluoridation of public water supplies are ethical in nature: e.g. is medication with an uncontrolled dose wrong? Is mass medication, which is either compulsory or expensive to avoid, wrong? Is fluroidation right if its risks are less than its benefits?
Some leading proponents of fluoridation attempt to evade such ethical issues by quasi-scientific argument. For instance, they claim that fluoridation is not medication, but merely an 'adjustment' of the natural fluoride concentrtions in drinking water to the 'optimal' level for reducing tooth decay. Or they allege that fluorde is an essential nutrient, rather than a medication.
But, ethical questions cannot be so easily transformed into scientific and technical ones to be answered glibly by dentists and medical practitioners. This paper assists the elucidation of several ethical quetions about fluoridation by first clarifying several related questions of science, technology and logic. This clarification leads to the conclusions that fluoride, at the levels recommended by pro-fluoridationists for reducing tooth decay, is not an essential nutrient; is not a natural substance for babies or for most adults; is not a compulsory medication, but is an expensive-to-avoid medication with an uncontrolled dose; and is harmful to some people. There is scientific evidence that the benefits of fluoridtion have been greatly overestimated, but the actual magnitude of benefits is still unclear. It is now clear than any benefit comes from the action of fluoride on the surface of teeth, but there is negligible benefit from swallowing fluoride. It is not possible to weigh risks against benefits in a value-free manner.
These scientific, technical and logical conclusions prepare the way for ethicists and others to examine the fluoridation issue, unencumbered by the ususal 'scientific' myths. The original ethical concerns about fluoridation are found to be well-posed quetions, an ethical question used by proponents to justify fluoridation is found to be improperly posed, and a new ethical question arises from the analysis.
JAMA 1995; 273:775-776
- Publication type: Letter
- As cited and abstracted from letter in Fluoride 1995; 28(2):107
Fluoride concentration in drinking water and fractures in the elderly
Jacqmin-Gadda H, Commenges D, Dartigues J-F
Reprints: H Jacqmin-Gadda, Universite de Bordeaux, France
We report the results of a population-based study of the relationship between concentrations of fluorine and calcium in drinking water and risk of hip fractures or fractures at any site. Results reported herein are based on the sample of the Paquid study of normal and pathological aging, which comprised 3777 subjects aged 65 years or older, living at home in 75 civil parishes of southwestern France. The mean time that individuals in the sample had remained in the same parishes was 41 years. Data about fractures were available for 3578 subject; 503 (14.1%) indicated they had at least one fracture at any site during the previous 10 years and 70 (1.95%) had at least one hip fracture. Calcium and fluorine concentrations were measured in water from each parish; data from two measurement surveys performed in 1991 and data collected routinely since 1991 were used.
All analyses were performed using a multiple logistic regression. Five personal characteristics were studied: age, sex, Quetelet index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), smoking status, and sport activity.
Only age (odds ratio, [OR], 2.5 for 10 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 3.6), sex (OR, 2.3 for women vs men; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.3), and Quetelet index (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.97) were significantly associated with the risk of hip fractures, and only age (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.4) and sex (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.4) were significantly associated with the risk of any fractures. These variables were used as adjustment variables in the subsequent analyses.
Two classes of fluorine (0.05-0.11 mg/L and 0.11-1.83 mg/L) and calcium (8.90-75 mg/L and 75-146 mg/L) concentration were defined, using the median of the distribution among parishes as the cut-off point.
The risk of hip fractures was significantly higher when water fluorine concentration was higher than 0.11 mg/L (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.02-3.36; P = 0.04), and this result persisted when using a mixed-effect logistic regression for taking into account the grouping of the subjects in parishes. No association was found between hip fractures and water calcium (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.78-2.22; P = 0.30) and between fractures at any site and water fluroine (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80-1.21; P = 0.88) or water calcium (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.88-1.30; P = 0.50). Thus adjusting for major individual risk factors, this study suggests a deleterious effect of fluorine in drinking water on the risk of hip fractures, even for moderate concentrations of fluorine, and no effect on other kinds of fractures.
Fluoride 1995; 28(3):131-134Studies on alleviation of industrial fluorosis in Baotou goats
Wang JD (a), Hong JP (a), Li JX (b)
(a) For correspondence: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China.
(b) Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Technical Teachers' College, Xinxiang, ChinaSummary: Industrial fluorosis of goats in Baotou has a history of more than 20 years. Since the 1980s the following alleviating measures have been adopted:
1) chemical feed supplementation to counteract and reduce digestion of fluoride;
2) removal of goats from high to low fluoride areas;
3) relocation of goats from low storage for use as goat feed during dry season;
5) dry season nutrient supplementation;
6) mechanical trimming of sawteeth.
Some of the measures have resulted in longer goat-life spans and a corresponding icrease in herdsmen's incomes.
Fluoride 1995; 28(3):135-145Effect of fluoride in drinking water on the mineral composition of various areas of rat molar dentin
S Kortelainen
Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland
Summary: The amounts of calcium, phosphorus, fluorine, sodium, magnesium and zinc in various dentin zones in rats receiving 0, 1 or 19 ppm fluoride in their drinking water were determined. Wistar rats of both sexes were weaned at 22 days, weighed, marked and allotted to one or other of three groups of 10. All of the animals were fed ad libitum on a modified Stephan-Harris diet containing 43% sucrose plus 22% wheat flour, 32% skim milk powder, 2% whole liver powder and 1% corn oil, and distilled water, to which 0, 1 or 19 ppm of fluoride had been added. Elements of dentin samples were determined in a JEOL JCXA-733 Super Probe electron-probe microanalyser (EPMA). The high level of fluoride in the drinking water (19 ppm) resulted in a significant increase in F, Na and Zn levels in the dentin close to the pulp. Ca, P and Mg were evenly distributed throughout the dentin, although slight accumulation of Mg to the dentino-enamel junction could be seen.
Fluoride 1995; 28(3):146-148Investigation of inorganic fluoride and its effect n the occurrence of dental caries and dental fluorosis in Canada - Final Report
(Published by Health Canada, Health Protection Branch, July 2, 1994)
Reviewed by RG Foulkes BA MD
Fluoride 1995; 28(4):175-179Guest Editorial: Fluoride-magnesium interaction
A Machoooy-Mokrzynska
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pomeranian Medical Academy, Szczecin, PolandEditorial: Killing the Messenger
Bruce Spittle
Fluoride 1995; 28(4):180-188Correlation among heavy metals and fluoride in soil, air and plants in relation to environmental damage
Gritsan NP (1), Miller GW (2), Schumatkov GG
(1) Institute of Nature Management Problems and Ecology, Uraninian Academy of Sciences, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
(2) Utah State University, Logan, UtahSummary: The investigations were conducted at 46 sites in the South-East part of the Ukraine that had different levels of industrial pollution. Concentrations of fluoride and 16 other macro- and microelements were determined in plants (leaves and seeds) and soils to determine if there were any quantitative relationships between levels of these elements and abnormal plant development. Damage criteria such as the frequency of chromosome aberrations in root tips of Robinia pseudoacacia (L) seeds, determination of germination percentage, peroxidase activity of leaves and soils and quantify of microfauna were studied. It was found that among the environmental pollutants, fluoride was the most damaging.
Fluoride 1995; 28(4):193-200Changes of the human erythrocyte membrane protein SH binding site property with exposure to fluoride and three strong mutagens
Wang YY, Li XJ, Xin WJ
Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environemental Protection, Fu Wai Avenue, Beijing 100037, China
Summary: The effects of three strong mutagens (potassium bichromate, mitomycin C, and colchicine) and fluoride on the human erythrocyte membrane protein SH binding site property have been studied by using the maleimide nitroxide-ESR technique. The results indicate that in singular and combined treatments with mutagens, the ratio of weakly to strongly immobilized component protein is altered. It is possible that the inhibition in the cytogenetic response is induced by the interaction of fluoride with the other chemicals. There is a dose and temperature dependence of both the singular and the combined action of the mutagen on the membrane protein.
Fluoride 1995; 28(4):201-202High fluoride content of food and endemic fluorosis
Han YZ, Zhang JQ, Liu XY (a), Zhang LZ (b), Yu XH (b), Dai JH
Anhui Anti-epidemic Station, 125 Wuhu Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
(a) Huang Anti-epidemic Station
(b) Jixi County Anti-epidemic Station.Summary. A survey was carried out in a village of an endemic fluorosis area. There was a high rate of dental fluorosis (80.4%). Children 8-15 years old had the highest rate (94.7%). Fluoride content of drinking water, from two wells, was low (0.14 and 0.70 mg/L). Samples of food and tea were also tested. Total daily fluoride intake per adult was 4.14 mg. Fluoride in food and tea was 70% of the total fluoride intake, and therefore was the main factor causing the endemic fluorosis.
Fluoride 1995; 28(4):203-208Endemic fluorosis in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. II. Identification of risk factors associated with occupational exposure to fluoride.
Calderon J (a), Romieu I (b), Grimaldo M (a), Hernandez H (c), Diaz-Barriga F (a)
(a) Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi
(b) Centro Pan-americano de Ecologia Humana y Salud (OPS/OMS)
(c) Centro Medico del PotosiSummary: The city of San Luis Potosi (SLP), Mexico, is located in an area where drinking water contains excessive quantities of natural fluoride. Also in this city is located a small industry that produces hydrofluoric acid. In order to investigate both routes of exposure to fluoride (industrial air and drinking water), we conducted a pilot study in workers of this industry. The study involved 60 male workers, divided into two groups according to their work area: the production and the office groups. Although the exposure to fluoride by the water ingestion pathway was similar for both groups, the occupational-exposure to fluoride was 12 times higher in the production area. Workers in this area had higher levels of fluoride in urine than workers in the office area. This difference was observed in the preshift and postshift samples. A multivariate regression analysis showed that the workplace explained 33% of the fluoride content of the urinary samples, whereas tap water ingestion explained only 8%. The higher air fluoride levels in the production area could explain the high number of workers who present a preclinical phase of skeletal fluorosis. Although our results illustrate the exposure to fluoride of workers in the production area by two pathways, water and workplace air, it would be advisable to eplore in more detail the participation of other pathways of exposure, like diet and soft drinks.
Fluoride 1995; 28(4):175-179The question of fluoridation
the late JR Marier
[written in 1966]
Introduction: In the October 1992 issue of Fluoride, we published tributes to the late John Marier, of the National Research Council of Canada... In light of the subect of the current issue's guest editorial, and the continuing debate on fluoridation, it seemed appropriate to publish the following piece, written 29 years ago.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8698251&dopt=AbstractGinekol Pol 1995 Nov;66(11):614-7
[Fluorides in the body of the mother and in the fetus. III. Fluorides in amniotic fluid]
[Article in Polish]
Chlubek D, Mokrzynski S, Machoy Z, Olszewska M.
Katedry i Zakladu Biochemii i Chemii Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie.
Fluoride concentrations in amniotic fluid as well as in venous and arterial cord blood serum were determined in 20 women during the perinatal period. The mean concentrations of fluoride from amniotic fluid, venous cord blood serum and arterial cord blood serum were 1,6 +/- 0,18 mumol/l, 3,2 +/- 0,28 mumol/l and 2,9 +/- 0,39 mumol/l respectively. Amniotic fluid fluoride concentrations were significantly higher in the older age group of pregnancies (39-42 weeks) in comparison with the younger age group of pregnancies (34-38 weeks) p < 0,01. The reasons for mentioned relations were discussed.
PMID: 8698251 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7560391&dopt=AbstractJ Dent Res 1995 Jul;74(7):1399-407
Infants' fluoride intake from drinking water alone, and from water added to formula, beverages, and food.
Levy SM, Kohout FJ, Guha-Chowdhury N, Kiritsy MC, Heilman JR, Wefel JS.
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
In infants, the majority of total ingested fluoride is obtained from water, formula and beverages prepared with water, baby foods, and dietary fluoride supplements. Few studies have investigated the distribution of fluoride intake from these sources among young children at risk for dental fluorosis. The purpose of this study was to assess estimated water fluoride intake from different sources of water among a birth cohort studied longitudinally from birth until age 9 months. Parental reports were collected at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months of age for water, formula, beverage, and other dietary intake during the preceding week. Fluoride levels of home and child-care tap and bottled water sources were determined. This report estimates daily quantities of fluoride ingested only from water--both by itself and used to reconstitute formula, beverages, and food. Daily fluoride intake from water by itself ranged to 0.43 mg, with mean intakes < 0.05 mg. Water fluoride intake from reconstitution of concentrated infant formula ranged to 1.57 mg, with mean intakes by age from 0.18 to 0.31 mg. Fluoride intake from water added to juices and other beverages ranged to 0.67 mg, with means < 0.05 mg. Estimated total daily water fluoride intake ranged to 1.73 mg fluoride, with means from 0.29 to 0.38 mg.
PMID: 7560391 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7499663&dopt=AbstractJ Am Dent Assoc 1995 Dec;126(12):1625-32
Infants' fluoride ingestion from water, supplements and dentifrice.
Levy SM, Kohout FJ, Kiritsy MC, Heilman JR, Wefel JS.
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Concerns about dental fluorosis and the paucity of detailed fluoride intake data prompted this longitudinal study of fluoride intake in infants from birth to 9 months of age. On average, water fluoride intake greatly exceeded that from dietary fluoride supplements or fluoride dentifrice. However, fluoride supplements and dentifrice contributed substantial proportions of fluoride intake among children using them. Some children had estimated fluoride intake from water, supplements and dentifrice that exceeded the recommended "optimal" intake (a level that has yet to be determined scientifically). Practitioners should estimate fluoride ingestion from all these sources if considering systemic fluoride supplementation.
PMID: 7499663 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8602675&dopt=AbstractAnesthesiology 1996 Feb;84(2):428-35
Fluoride ion toxicity in human kidney collecting duct cells.
Cittanova ML, Lelongt B, Verpont MC, Geniteau-Legendre M, Wahbe F, Prie D, Coriat P, Ronco PM.
Departement d'Anesthesie-Reanimation, Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, France.
BACKGROUND: Several halogenated anesthetics induce a urinary concentrating defect, partly related to fluoride ion toxicity in collecting duct cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fluoride ion in human kidney cells.
METHODS: Immortalized human collecting duct cells were used. In a first set of experiments, the toxicity threshold concentration was determined by exposing cell cultures for 24 h to increasing concentrations of fluoride ion in the medium: 0, 1, 5, and 10 mM. The second set of experiments was a time- effect study in which cells were exposed to 5 mM fluoride for 2, 6, and 24 h. Assessment of toxicity was based on several endpoints: cell number, protein content, (3)H-leucine incorporation in newly synthesized proteins, extracellularly released lactate dehydrogenase, Na-K-ATPase pump activity, and electron microscope studies.
RESULTS: After 24 h of exposure, fluoride ion decreased cell number (-23%, P<0.05), total protein content (-30%, P<0.05) and increased lactate dehydrogenase release (+236%, P<0.05) at a threshold concentration of 5mM. Fluoride ion also inhibited Na-K- ATPase activity at 5 mM (-58%, P<0.05). Major morphologic alterations of mitochondria, including crystal formation, were detected from 1 mM fluoride concentration. Time-effect studies showed that, after only 6 h of exposure at 5 mM, fluoride decreased cell number (-13%, P<0.05), (3)H-leucine incorporation (-48%, P<0.05), and Na-K-ATPase activity (- 20%, P<0.05) and increased lactate dehydrogenase release (+145%, P<0.05). Crystal deposits in mitochondria again were a more sensitive marker of cell injury, detectable after only 2 h of exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: these results suggest that the mitochondrion is a target of fluoride toxicity in human collecting duct cells, and its alteration is partly responsible for the sodium and water disturbances observed in patients.
PMID: 8602675 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12228515&dopt=AbstractPlant Physiol 1995 Jul;108(3):897-901
Aluminum Induces Rigor within the Actin Network of Soybean Cells.
Grabski S, Schindler M.
Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.
Aluminum is toxic to both plants and animals. Root growth and pollen-tube extension are inhibited after aluminum stress in acidic environments. Incubation of cultured neurons with aluminum results in the formation of neurofibrillar tangles reminiscent of the neural pathology observed in Alzheimer's disease. The present communication demonstrates that aluminum induces a rapid and dramatic increase in the rigidity of the actin network in soybean (Glycine max) root cells. This rigidity can be prevented by either co-incubation with sodium fluoride or magnesium, or pretreatment with cytochalasin D. It is proposed that the growth-inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of aluminum in plants may be a consequence of a global rigor that is induced within the actin network. This rigor may result from the formation of nonhydrolyzable [Al3+-ADP] or [Al3+-ATP] complexes whose binding to actin/myosin can modify contraction. Additionally, Al3+-mediated interference with the normal kinetics of F-actin filament assembly/disassembly could precipitate subsequent disorganization of associated cytoskeletal structures and promote altered expression of cytoskeletal proteins.
PMID: 12228515 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7501898&dopt=AbstractRev Epidemiol Sante Publique 1995;43(5):504-9
[Urinary excretion of fluorides in children living around an aluminum smelter]
[Article in French]
Declercq C, Ponti P, Warembourg D, Tronet V, Rousselle JF.
Observatoire Regional de la Sante Nord-Pas-de-Calais, La Madeleine, France.
Aluminium industry discharges fluoride into the atmosphere and several studies have shown a slight but significant contribution to the intake of fluoride by children living around aluminium smelters. A monitoring system was set up in 1991, just before a new aluminium smelter came into operation in Loon-Plage, on the North Sea coast, to study the evolution of the urinary fluoride excretion in children around the plant. Every year, 250 children under 14 are sampled in infant clinics, nursery schools and a secondary school. Urinary fluoride excretion was assessed by a potentiometric method on a spot morning urine sample and information on exposure factors was obtained by questionnaire. Urinary fluoride levels decreased with age (r = 0.31) and were higher in children drinking a local bottled water rich in fluoride (geometric mean in mg per gram of creatinine: 0.69 vs 0.52) or taking fluoride tablets (0.82 vs 0.52). The mean urinary fluoride excretion in children did not vary significantly between 1991 (geometric mean: 0.70 mg per gram of creatinine, 95% CI: [0.64-0.77]), 1992 (0.68 [0.62-0.75]) and 1993 (0.68 [0.61-0.76]), even after adjustment for potential confounding factors and despite a moderate increase in atmospheric fluoride levels.
PMID: 7501898 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal 1995; 56(10):1008-1015
- As cited and abstracted in Fluoride 1996; 29(4):255
Exposure to particulates and fluorides and respiratory health of workers in an aluminum production potroom with limited control measures
F Akbarkhanzadeh
Medical College of Ohio, Department of Occupational Health, Toledo
Summary: Occupational exposure to air pollutants and health status of potroom workers of an aluminum reduction plant in a developing country were studied and compared with those in developed countries. In this plant, the pots were constructed and installed without recommended gas collecting hoods or segmented side doors, and the workers did not use any respiratory protection. These conditions, combined with manual material handling and poor housekeeping, gave rise to fugitive air pollution generation. All 213 male potroom workers and 148 male control subjects were studied using air sampling, urinary fluoride measurement, ventilatory function testing, and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. On average, breathing zone respirable and total particulates in the potroom were 0.98 and 1.83 mg/m3, respectively. Stationary air sampling showed 0.93 mg/m3 of total fluoride, 2.09 mg/m3 of respirable particulates, and 7.59 mg/m3 of total particulates. During an 8-hr shift, the average increase of urinary fluoride in the potroom workers (2.73 mg/L) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.39 mg/L). Workers in the potroom reported significantly higher frequency of respiratory symptoms than the control group. Potroom workers, especially nonsmokers, showed significantly greater decrease in their ventilatory function parameters during the shift than those of the control group; however, there was no difference between the basic ventilatory function of the two groups. The exposure to airborne particulates and the consequent respiratory symptoms as well as the daily increase of urinary fluoride values were generally higher in this plant than in similar operations in developed countries. This may be attributable to the fact that both process flow and machinery are often imported and assembled without the application of adequate engineering controls or complete understanding of proper safe work practices.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12228469&dopt=AbstractPlant Physiol 1995 May;108(1):241-246
Inhibition of Maize Root H+-ATPase by Fluoride and Fluoroaluminate Complexes.
Facanha AR, De Meis L.
Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Bioquimica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, RJ 21941-590, Brazil.
Vesicles derived from maize roots retain a membrane-bound H+-ATPase that is able to pump H+ at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. The H+ pumping and the ATPase activity of these vesicles are inhibited by lithium fluoride and by the complex formed between fluoride and aluminum. The inhibition promoted by lithium fluoride increases as the MgCl2 concentration in the medium is increased from 2 to 20 mM. The inhibitory activity of both lithium fluoride and aluminum fluoride increases as the temperature of the medium is increased from 20 to 35[deg]C. Inorganic phosphate (10-40 mM) inhibits the H+ -ATPase at pH 6.5 but not at pH 7.0, and at both pH values, it antagonizes the inhibition promoted by lithium fluoride and fluoroaluminate complexes.
PMID: 12228469 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8588562&dopt=AbstractAm J Ind Med 1995 Dec;28(6):751-69
Historical cohort study of spontaneous abortion among fabrication workers in the Semiconductor Health Study: agent-level analysis.
Swan SH, Beaumont JJ, Hammond SK, VonBehren J, Green RS, Hallock MF, Woskie SR, Hines CJ, Schenker MB.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkely 94720, USA.
Risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB) was examined in relation to chemical and physical agents in a retrospective study of employees of 14 seminconductor manufacturers: After screening over 6,000 employees, 506 current and 385 former workers were eligible. If a woman had multiple eligible pregnancies, one was selected at random. Telephone interviews provided data on demographics and occupational and other exposures during the first trimester. Two groups of chemicals accounted for the 45% excess risk of SAB among fabrication-room (fab) workers: photoresist and developed solvents (PDS), including glycol ethers, and fluoride compounds used in etching. Women exposed to high levels of both these agents were at greater risk (RR = 3.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29-5.96). In fab workers without these exposures, SAB rates were not elevated (adjusted relative risk [RR] = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.55-1.69). An association was seen with workplace stress, which was not limited to women exposed to PDS or fluoride, nor did stress explain the associations between these chemicals and SAB.
PMID: 8588562 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7795741&dopt=AbstractOccup Environ Med 1995 Apr;52(4):255-61
Mortality and cancer morbidity in workers from an aluminium smelter with prebaked carbon anodes--Part III: Mortality from circulatory and respiratory diseases.
Ronneberg A.
Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Epidemiological Cancer Research, Montebello, Oslo.
OBJECTIVE--To investigate associations between exposure to pot emissions (fluorides, sulphur dioxide) and mortality from chronic obstructive lung disease, coal tar pitch volatiles and mortality from diseases related to atherosclerosis, and carbon monoxide and mortality from ischaemic heart disease.
METHODS--Mortality between 1962 to 1991 was investigated in a cohort of 1085 men hired by a Norwegian aluminium smelter between 1922 and 1975. Associations between cumulative exposure and mortality were investigated through SMR analysis based on national mortality rates; temporal relations were explored by considering exposures only within specific time windows. Circulatory mortality was also investigated by Poisson regression analysis.
RESULTS--There were 501 deaths v 471.3 expected in the cohort. The excess was confined to short term workers and did not seem to be associated with exposures in the smelter. Analysis of mortality among the 661 men with at least three years employment showed associations between cumulative exposure to tar 40 years before observation and atherosclerotic mortality (P = 0.03), and between exposure to pot emissions 20-39 years before observation and mortality from chronic obstructive lung disease (P = 0.06). No association was found between exposure to carbon monoxide and mortality from ischaemic heart disease, but cerebrovascular mortality was associated with exposure to pot emissions (P = 0.02). Results for atherosclerotic and cerebrovascular diseases were confirmed through Poisson regression analysis.
CONCLUSIONS--The data support previous findings of increased mortality from ischaemic heart disease in workers exposed to tar, and some support is also provided for earlier reports of increased respiratory mortality in potroom workers.
PMID: 7795741 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7897695&dopt=AbstractJ Toxicol Environ Health 1995 Mar;44(3):337-50
Interactive effects of fluoride and aluminum uptake and accumulation in bones of rabbits administered both agents in their drinking water.
Ahn HW, Fulton B, Moxon D, Jeffery EH.
Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
Fluoride (F) and aluminum (Al), which are known to form a strong complex, are both present in finished drinking water. The effect of F and AI on one another's tissue accumulation was determined using adult male New Zealand white rabbits. Thirty-six rabbits (three per group) were given Purina Rabbit Chow and drinking water containing no F or AI, F alone (1, 4, or 50 ppm F as NaF), Al alone, (100 or 500 ppm Al as AlCl3), or a combination of F and Al, ad libitum for 10 wk. None of these treatments altered food intake or weight gain in these rabbits. However, rabbits treated with 1 ppm F and 500 ppm Al consumed significantly less water than control rabbits. The F accumulation in plasma, urine, incisors, and tibia was increased as the F addition to the drinking water increased within groups receiving a single concentration of Al. In contrast, F accumulation in plasma, urine, incisors, and tibia decreased as the Al concentration increased within groups receiving a single F concentration, indicative of decreased intestinal absorption. Importantly, Al levels in tibia were significantly increased by the addition of F to the drinking water, even in animals receiving no Al in their drinking water. The effect of F on Al accumulation in bone was confirmed by our evaluating Al levels in sterna harvested from rats treated with 0 or 79 ppm F (as NaF in the drinking water) in a study conducted by the National Toxicology Program (Bucher et al., 1991). Therefore, some of the osteotoxicity seemingly associated with high F levels in bone may be due to the accumulation of Al or an Al-F complex.
PMID: 7897695 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8926753&dopt=AbstractJ Anal Toxicol 1995 Oct;19(6):535-6
Fatal hydrofluoric acid ingestion: a suicide case report.
Bost RO, Springfield A.
Toxicology Consultants Inc., Carrollton, TX, USA.
Numerous reports of poisonings due to various fluoride salts and also to hydrofluoric acid have appeared in the literature. Hydrofluoric acid, which is recognized as a strong acid, is expected to cause severe burns following acute exposure. This case is reported because the expected burns were not observed, but the laboratory analysis (a blood fluoride concentration of 13 mg/L) supported the ruling of death due to ingestion of hydrofluoric acid.
PMID: 8926753 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7590543&dopt=AbstractFood Chem Toxicol 1995 Nov;33(11):951-60
Developmental toxicity of sodium fluoride in rats.
Collins TF, Sprando RL, Shackelford ME, Black TN, Ames MJ, Welsh JJ, Balmer MF, Olejnik N, Ruggles DI.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
Despite the chronic exposure of the US population to fluoridated drinking water since the 1940s, existing studies have been judged inadequate to determine any potential reproductive or developmental hazard. This study was conducted to determine the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on foetal development. Sperm-positive female rats were given 0, 10, 25, 100, 175 or 250 ppm NaF daily throughout gestation. They were dosed by drinking water to mimic human exposure to fluoridated water. No dose-related behavioural changes or maternal clinical signs were noted. Fluid consumption by females in the 175- and 250-ppm groups was significantly less than that of the control females. Because of this decreased fluid consumption, the daily amount of NaF ingested (0, 1.4, 3.9, 15.6, 24.7 and 25.1 mg/kg body weight) was less than expected at the two high levels. Feed consumption decreased significantly at 250 ppm, and body weights of pregnant females reflected feed consumption trends. The mean number of viable foetuses per female in all treated groups was similar to that of the control group. The significant decrease in the mean number of implants per litter in the 250-ppm group is probably linked to the lower mean number of corpora lutea in this group. The occurrence of in utero deaths was similar in the control and treated groups. Foetal growth (in terms of foetal body weight and crown-rump length) was not affected by NaF, despite the fact that the dams in the 250-ppm group ate significantly less feed and drank significantly less fluid. There was no dose-related increase in the number of external anomalies in foetuses due to NaF ingestion. At the doses given, NaF had no effect on the development of specific bones, including sternebrae. A significant increase was seen in the average number of foetuses with three or more skeletal variations in the 250-ppm group; the number of litters with foetuses with three or more skeletal variations was increased in the 250-ppm group also, but the increase was not significant. There was no dose-related effect of NaF on the incidence of soft tissue variations.
PMID: 7590543 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE][Note from FAN:
The chemical used to fluoridate over 90% of U.S. public drinking water is not sodium fluoride. The "chemical" used is hydrofluosilicic acid which is a toxic waste product from the phosphate fertilizer industry. The sodium fluoride that is used in less than 10% of fluoridation schemes is also a waste product, primarily from the aluminum industry. No tests have been published using these toxic waste products.- EC.]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7560402&dopt=AbstractJ Dent Res 1995 Aug;74(8):1475-81
Fluoride reduces bone strength in older rats.
Turner CH, Hasegawa K, Zhang W, Wilson M, Li Y, Dunipace AJ.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
In response to recent concerns about the effect of water fluoridation on hip fracture rates, we studied the influence of fluoride intake on bone strength. Four groups of rats were fed a low-fluoride diet ad libitum and received 0, 5, 15, or 50 ppm of fluoride in their drinking water. Animals were euthanized after 3, 6, 12, or 18 months of treatment. Mechanical strength of the right femur was measured by three-point bending. Fluoride content for the left femur was measured, and static histomorphometric measurements were made on a lumbar vertebra. Femoral failure load was not significantly decreased in rats treated for 3 and 6 months, but was decreased as much as 23% in rats treated 12 and 18 months at 50 ppm fluoride. Extrapolation from regression equations predicted that older rats lose 36% of femoral bone strength when bone fluoride content is increased from 0 to 10,000 ppm, while younger rats will lose only 15%. Thus, the decreased strength appeared to be due to the combined effects of fluoride intake and age on bone tissue and was not associated with a decrease in bone density or mineralization defects. There were only small effects of fluoride on bone histomorphometry. Fluoride intake at high levels had no negative effects on bone mineralization. Fluoride intake was associated with slight increases in trabecular bone volume and trabecular thickness, but these effects could not be demonstrated consistently. The mechanism by which large amounts of fluoride affect bone strength more severely in older animals is unknown.
PMID: 7560402 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7663087&dopt=AbstractBull Environ Contam Toxicol 1995 Jul;55(1):162-9
No Abstract available
Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) leaching through soils.
Parfitt RL, Eason CT, Hoff H, Heng LK.
Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
PMID: 7663087 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7541330&dopt=AbstractZhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 1995 Jan;29(1):30-3
[Epidemiological studies on endemic fluorosis and arsenism in Xinjiang]
[Article in Chinese]
Wang G, Xiao B, Huang Y.
Xinjiang Medical College, Urumqi.
Epidemiological and clinical studies on the water of 102 wells containing high-level fluoride and arsenic and a population of 50,760 drinking the water in Kuitun Area, Xinjiang were conducted. Results indicated fluoride and arsenic contents in the well water were associated with geochemical environment, and drinking the water containing high-level fluoride and arsenic for a long-term was the cause of fluorosis and arsenism. Also, diagnostic criteria and major clinical manifestations for fluorosis and arsenism were put forward in the paper. Relationship between fluoride and arsenic contents in the well water and prevalence of fluorosis and arsenism in local residents was analyzed. It suggested fluorosis and arsenism was a systematic disorder and further studies on its potential hazard were merited.
PMID: 7541330 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Canadian Journal of Aging 1995; 14(4):642-656
- As cited and abstracted in Fluoride 1996; 29(2):101
Geochemical risk factors for mental functioning based on the Ontario Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSA). Comparisons of the results, relevant to aluminum water concentrations, obtained from the LSA and from death certificates mentioning dementia
Forbes WF, Lessard S, Gentleman JF
Reprints: WF Forbes, Statistics Canada Health Statistics Division, RH Coats Bldg 18th Floor, Tunneys Pasture, Ottawa ON KIA 0T6, Canada
Previous studies in this series of papers investigated the associations between aluminum (Al) water concentrtions and relatively high risks of a measure of mental impairment and also various possible other drinking water characteristics, particularly pH, turbidity, fluoride and silica. The results were based on one measure of mental impairment, which would not be expected to give the same results as the more definitive endpoint (outcome variable) of a record of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) as the underlying cause of death on a death certificate. The present paper therefore investigates the relevant associations, based both on the measure of mental impairment and on death certificates in which AD and presenile dementia are listed as the underlying causes of death. As expected, the associations were not identical, but they were similar. More specifically, Al water concentrations were strongly associated with the recording of AD on death certificates, as were pH, fluoride, and silica concentrations. The implications of these results are discussed, and it is suggested that the evidence is sufficiently strong for methods of water purification to be modified, at least on a trial basis, because of the likelihood that this will reduce the incidence of AD.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8554358&dopt=AbstractArch Dis Child 1995 Nov;73(5):418-22
Bronchial responsiveness, eosinophilia, and short term exposure to air pollution.
Soyseth V, Kongerud J, Broen P, Lilleng P, Boe J.
Health Department, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Norway.
The number of capillary blood eosinophils and the prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) were compared between schoolchildren living in a polluted area (Ardal) and unpolluted area (Laerdal). In Ardal there is an aluminium smelter emitting sulphur dioxide and fluoride to the environment. Daily measurements of these pollutants in ambient air were available. The mean number of eosinophils in Ardal was 220 x 10(6)/l compared with 106 x 10(6)/l in Laerdal. The prevalence of BHR was 15.9% in Ardal and 11.8% in Laerdal. The odds ratio of having BHR in relation to these pollutants during the last 24 hours were: 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.24) by increasing sulphur dioxide with 10 micrograms/m3, and 1.31 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.60) when fluoride exposure increased with 1 micrograms/m3. Similarly, these exposures were associated with a decrease in eosinophils of -21 x 10(6)/l (95% CI -36 to -6) and -52 x 10(6)/l (95% CI -98 to -8), respectively, in atopics. It is hypothesised that recent exposure to irritants induces changes in the airways leading to BHR in addition to recruitment of eosinophils to the airways in atopic subjects.
PMID: 8554358 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7823714&dopt=AbstractLancet 1995 Jan 28;345(8944):217-20
Comment in:
Relation of exposure to airway irritants in infancy to prevalence of bronchial hyper-responsiveness in schoolchildren.
Soyseth V, Kongerud J, Haarr D, Strand O, Bolle R, Boe J.
Hydro Aluminium Ardal, Norway.
To find out whether exposure to sulphur dioxide during infancy is related to the prevalence of bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), we studied schoolchildren (aged 7-13 years) from two areas of Norway--a valley containing a sulphur-dioxide-emitting aluminium smelter and a similar but non-industrialised valley. Bronchial responsiveness was assessed in 529 of the 620 participants. The median exposures to sulphur dioxide and fluoride were 37.1 micrograms/m3 and 4.4 micrograms/m3 at ages 0-12 months and 37.9 micrograms/m3 and 4.4 micrograms/m3 at 13-36 months. The risk of BHR increased with exposure to sulphur dioxide and fluoride at these ages; the odds ratio for a 10 micrograms/m3 increase in sulphur dioxide exposure at 0-12 months was 1.62 (95% CI 1.11-2.35) and that for a 1 microgram/m3 increase in fluoride exposure was 1.35 (1.07-1.70) at 0-12 months and 1.38 (1.05-1.82) at 13-36 months. Exposure to these low concentrations of airway irritants during early childhood is associated with an increased prevalence of BHR in schoolchildren.
PMID: 7823714 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7716491&dopt=AbstractSci Total Environ 1995 Feb 24;163(1-3):137-45
Asthma and respiratory problems--a review.
O'Donnell TV.
University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Occupational asthma is the principal respiratory health problem within the primary aluminium industry. Current evidence indicates that it is irritant induced and due to occupational exposure to the inhalation of gaseous or particulate fluoride compounds. Following transfer from the occupational exposure of those who develop asthma, there is commonly symptomatic improvement. A programme of compulsory respiratory protection, progressive engineering improvements and of regular screening of potroom workers aimed at early detection, and the transfer of asthmatic workers from that environment has resulted not only in improvement of asthmatic symptoms among them, but also in the majority of an improvement in bronchial responsiveness as assessed by methacholine inhalation. The majority of studies indicate a slightly increased prevalence of symptoms of chronic bronchitis and of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among workers in carbon bake areas, although tobacco smoking has a greater and additive effect. Only a trivial number of clinical cases of pulmonary fibrosis ascribed to aluminium compounds has been reported. Particle size limits smelter grade primary alumina reaching the alveoli of the lung.
Publication Types:
- Review
- Review, Tutorial
PMID: 7716491 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8575578&dopt=AbstractEur Respir J 1995 Sep;8(9):1520-4
Occupational asthma in aluminium potroom workers related to pre-employment eosinophil count.
Sorgdrager B, Pal TM, de Looff AJ, Dubois AE, de Monchy JG.
Dept of Allergology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Occupational asthma still occurs in aluminium potroom workers despite pre-employment medical selection. The purpose of our study was to identify workers with an increased risk of developing "potroom asthma". A nested, case-control study was carried out in two Dutch aluminium producing plants. Pre-employment data of 364 potroom workers (182 cases and 182 controls) were analyzed. Cases were workers unable to work because of work-related respiratory disease, meeting the criteria for potroom asthma. The selected controls were matched for age, year of starting employment and working conditions. Pre-employment eosinophil count was significantly related to the occurrence of potroom asthma, even though the mean number of the eosinophils in cases was within the normal range (< 275 cells.mm-3; 0.28 cells x 10(9).L-1). Hence, 39 of the 45 individuals with blood eosinophil counts in the upper range of normal (> 220 cells.mm-3; 0.22 cells x 10(9).L-1) developed potroom asthma with time. We conclude that workers without respiratory symptoms, with normal lung function and normal bronchial responsiveness before employment developed potroom asthma. Fluoride exposure, combined with an elevated eosinophil count, might induce an immunological or cytotoxic process.
PMID: 8575578 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7546131&dopt=AbstractAdv Dent Res 1995 Jul;9(2):127-8
The value of anti-caries and anti-plaque dentifrices at a community level.
Stephen KW.
Department of Adult Dental Care, University of Glasgow Dental School, Scotland.
Although dentifrices (in a modern sense) were first introduced at the turn of the century, it was not until the advent of fluoride-containing compounds that any of therapeutic value was produced. In the early post-war years, formulation compatibility difficulties occurred, with the result that none was demonstrated to have clinically proven efficacy until stannous fluoride was successfully incorporated in the "Crest" formulation of 1955. Thereafter, sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP) appeared, to be followed by organic and acid-phosphate fluoride preparations, most of which were shown to produce clinical benefit over placebo controls. Since the late 1970's, however, such studies have been deemed unethical in many countries in view of the almost universal availability of efficacious fluoride dentifrices. While an NaF formulation was the first to be tested (albeit unsuccessfully) by Bibby (1945), there was a considerable time period before the arrival of both stable and effective silica-based systems in the early 1980's. Results of studies have varied, but the largest ever double-blind NaF/SMFP head-to-head dentifrice trial yet published (Stephen et al., 1994) has indicated a 6.4% significant benefit in favor of NaF (in silica) over SMFP. With respect to the effect of dentifrice fluoride levels, above 1000 ppm dose-response caries reductions have been obtained, but the efficacy of preparations containing 500 ppm F or less has yet to be demonstrated. In relation to root caries, Jensen and Kohout (1988) reported a 41.4% DFS significant reduction in subjects who used a NaF/silica dentifrice at 1100 ppm F, over a one-year period.
Publication Types:Review
Review, Tutorial
PMID: 7546131 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Fluoride 1995; 28(3):123-124Guest Editorial
In Memoriam - Philip RN Sutton
Mark Diesendorf
Human Ecolog Program, School of Resource and Environment Management, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Excerpt:
Philip RN Sutton (Melbourne) FRACDS passed away in Melbourne on March 12, 1995, aged 80 years. Dr Sutton was the leading Australian dental researcher to question the alleged scientific basis for fluoridation. In 1959, as a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Oral Medicine and Surgery, University of Melbourne, Dr Sutton published a landmark monograph, Fluoridation: Errors and Omissions in Experimental Trials (Melbourne University Press, Melbourne). This was a greatly expanded version of a paper published in 1958 by Dr Sutton and Sir Arthur Amies, then Dean of the Melbourne University Dental School. The monograph revealed in detail some of the serious deficiencies in the North American fluoridation 'trials' at Grand Rapids, Evanston, Brantford and Newburgh. In my view it is a substantial scientific analysis, carefully and rigourously done. It shows that the trials have major shortcomings, including limitations of data used, inconsitencies and errors in sampling, inadequacy of control populations, inappropriate 'weighting' of results, alterations to original results and misleading presentations and discussions of results.
Soon after publication of the monograph, the pro-fluoridation Australian Dental Association (ADA) sent copies to 'all of the men who are in charge of the experiment', asking them for comments. Then three hostile reviews were published in the Australian Dental Journal (February 1960) and one in the New Zealand Dental Journal (January 1960). Although the reviews contained serious and inaccurate accusations, it appears that Dr Sutton was not given the opportunity to reply in the journals concerned.
So, Dr Sutton brought out a second edition of his monograph (Melbourne University Press, 1960) which included the hostile reviews in full, together with his responses. To do this, he first had to overcome the obstacle that the plates of the first edition had been destroyed, counter to normal practice and counter to his wishes.
Dr Sutton's critique of the early fluoridation trials has stood the test of time. It is unfortunate that these inadequate trials are stil cited in reports by pro-fluoridation health authorities and textbooks, without any citation of Dr Sutton's critique...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7735899&dopt=AbstractComp Biochem Physiol A Physiol 1995 Apr;110(4):299-302
Mandibular bone fluoride accumulation in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) of known age.
Kierdorf U, Kierdorf H, Erdelen M, Machoy Z.
Department of Dental Pathology, Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Royal Dental College, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Mandibular bone fluoride concentration and its relation to age were studied in a sample of 39 red deer of known age (between 2 and 18 years) from an area not exposed to increased fluoride deposition (Harz mountains, Germany). Bone fluoride level ranged from 208 to 1026 ppm dry weight and was positively correlated with age (r = 0.808, P < 0.001), the rate of skeletal fluoride accumulation being higher in younger individuals. This indicates that during the period of skeletal growth, fluoride uptake is more rapid than in later life when accumulation at a lower rate occurs during normal bone turnover. Bone fluoride levels found in the present sample are regarded as resulting from "normal" fluoride exposure in a recent central European red deer population.
PMID: 7735899 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7633153&dopt=AbstractActa Paediatr 1995 May;84(5):555-60
Safety of ciprofloxacin therapy in children: magnetic resonance images, body fluid levels of fluoride and linear growth.
Pradhan KM, Arora NK, Jena A, Susheela AK, Bhan MK.
Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
We evaluated the safety of ciprofloxacin administered in a dose of 15-25 mg/kg for 9-16 days, in a case series of 58 children who were between 8 months and 13 years of age. No arthropathy was observed during therapy and follow-up. Blinded evaluation of 22 pairs of nuclear magnetic resonance scans obtained before and between day 10 and 15 of therapy did not reveal any cartilage damage. After the first dose of ciprofloxacin (10 mg/kg), serum fluoride levels increased at 12 h in 15 of 19 (79%) patients; 24-h urinary fluoride excretion was higher on day 7 compared with basal values in 16 of 18 (88.9%) patients. Height z scores of 53 patients at a mean of 22.5 months of follow-up were not significantly different from basal scores (p = 0.12). In conclusion, ciprofloxacin may be recommended for use in children for short duration when effective alternative antibacterials are unavailable. However, there is a need for further studies to evaluate the tissue accumulation of fluoride and its potential to cause toxic effects.
PMID: 7633153 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7759024&dopt=AbstractFood Chem Toxicol 1995 May;33(5):399-402
Plant uptake of fluoride in irrigation water by ladyfinger (Abelmorchus esculentus).
Singh V, Gupta MK, Rajwanshi P, Mishra S, Srivastava S, Srivastava R, Srivastava MM, Prakash S, Dass S.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, India.
Because of suggestions that food is a rich source of fluoride to humans and the absence of permissible and upper limits of fluoride for irrigation water, plant uptake studies were conducted using fluoride-rich irrigation water. Ladyfinger was grown in sand and soil cultures for 18 wk and the accumulation of fluoride in various plant parts was studied. The potential for ingestion of fluoride by humans through this route was also considered. The percentage uptake was greater in sand-cultured plants than in soil-cultured plants. The root accumulates most of the fluoride supplied through irrigation water and the fruit accumulates the least. Up to 120 mg fluoride/litre of irrigation water did not harm the plants. The ingestion of fluoride by humans from plants irrigated with water containing 10 mg fluoride/litre would be 0.20 mg per 100 g ladyfinger.
PMID: 7759024 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Fluoride 1995; 28(1):3-9Acid secretion and fluoride absorption by the ligated stomach of the rat
Mutual influences of fluoride and luminal acidityGharzoui K, Senator A, Gharzouli A, Mustapha M, Abed S
Universite Ferhat Abbas, Institut d Biologie, Setif, Algeria
Summary: The ligated stomach of the rat was used to study the net fluxes of acid and fluoride. Luminal 10 mM NaF decreased basal and histamine-stimulated acid secretion (-53%), but increased four times the loss of acid from the gastric lumen filled with 100 mM HCl. Two hours intravenous infusion of 5 mM NaF alone (20umoles F- Kg-1.h-1) did not affect acid secretion, but the addition of 0.1 mM AlF3 to the infused solution stimulated acid secretion (+28%).
The stimulation of acid secretion by histamine did not change absorption of fluroide. When the luminal concentration of acid was increased with 100 mM HCl, fluoride absorption was enhanced by 80% as compared with control. The increase of fluoride absorption was accompanied by a rise of fluoride concentration in the plasma (+43% - +53%). A positive correlation was observed between the percentage absorption of fluoride and its concentration in the plasma.
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