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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Air pollution-type fluorosis in the Region of Pingxiang, Jiangxi, Peoples' Republic of China

Journal Article · · Archives of Environmental Health; (United States)
; ; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Jiangxi Inst. of Labor Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, Nanchang (China)
  2. Public Health Bureau of the City of Pingxiang (China)

This paper reports on the epidemiology, environmental factors, geological features, and total amount of fluoride intake by residents of the Pingxiang region in the People's Republic of China where there is a high incidence of endemic fluorosis. The results demonstrate that the type of endemic fluorosis is related to air pollution, the major source of which comes from coal that is burned by the residents in their homes. Air pollution also originates from the small kilns that are used to make bricks and tile. The fluorine content in the coal and mud used to mix the coal is considerably high; the content in the mud used as adobe for tiles exceeds 10,000 mg/kg. During the process of burning coal or baking bricks or tiles, a large amount of nonsoluble fluorine is converted into water-soluble fluoride, which can have major human health effects. 5 refs., 6 tabs.

OSTI ID:
5811547
Journal Information:
Archives of Environmental Health; (United States), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (United States) Vol. 48:4; ISSN 0003-9896; ISSN AEHLAU
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English