Effects of fluoride emissions from a modern primary aluminum smelter on a local population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-23.1.135· OSTI ID:6857232

Suttie, J S; Dickie, R; Clay, A B; Nielsen, P; Mahan, W E; Baumann, D P; Hamilton, R J

The influence of fluoride emissions from a modern aluminum smelter on concentrations of skeletal fluoride and dental fluorosis in a resident population of white-tailed deer was studied. The smelter was located on Mount Holly Plantation in South Carolina, and concentrations of skeletal fluoride in the deer collected at Mount Holly increased approximately five-fold 3 yr after the operation began. Increases in skeletal fluoride of less than two-fold were observed in deer obtained from Medway Plantation which has its nearest boundary 1.6 km from the smelter site. No dental fluorosis was observed in deer collected at Medway Plantation, but mild dental fluorosis was observed in a significant number of deer collected at Mount Holly Plantation. The dental fluorosis that was observed was not associated with incisor wear or with fluoride-induced molar wear. Osteofluorosis of mandibles or metacarpals was not observed in any of the deer obtained from either plantation. The data obtained from this study indicated that the presence of a modern aluminum smelter caused a detectable increase in concentration of skeletal fluoride in the resident population of white-tailed deer, but that no adverse health effects were seen.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 6857232
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN JWIDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALUMINIUM
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BODY
DEER
DISEASES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
METALLURGY
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
POLLUTION
RUMINANTS
SKELETAL DISEASES
SKELETON
SMELTERS
SOUTH CAROLINA
TOXICITY
USA
VERTEBRATES