Respiratory survey of North American Indian children living in proximity to an aluminum smelter

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5729194

Ernst, P; Thomas, D; Becklake, M R

We explored the relationship of respiratory symptoms and lung function to exposure to ambient air pollution consisting of particulate and gaseous fluorides. The subjects were 253 North American Indian children 11 to 17 yr of age living on the Akwasasne reserve, which is adjacent to an aluminum smelter. Among boys, closing volume (CV/VC%) was increased in those raised closest to the smelter as opposed to those having lived most of their lives farthest from this source of air pollution. In both sexes, there was a significant linear relationship between increasing CV/VC% and the amount of fluoride contained in a spot urine sample. We conclude that exposure to fluoride air pollution in the community may be associated with abnormalities in small airways. The implication of these abnormalities for future respiratory health is unknown.

• Research Organization: McGill Univ., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5729194
• Journal Information: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Vol. 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FLUORIDES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
AIR POLLUTION
ALUMINIUM
AMERICAN INDIANS
CHILDREN
CORRELATIONS
METALLURGY
PARTICULATES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SMELTERS
AGE GROUPS
BODY
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
METALS
MINORITY GROUPS
ORGANS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
POPULATIONS
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)