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Title: The physical and chemical characteristics of particles in indoor air where high fluoride coal burning takes place

Journal Article · · Biomedical and Environmental Sciences; (United States)
OSTI ID:5655616
; ;  [1]
  1. Institute of Environmental Health and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing (China)

In China, more than 10 million people suffer from fluorosis caused by the burning of high fluoride coal. Analysis of the particulate matters of indoor air from these fluorosis areas reveals a logarithmic distribution of particle sizes. The levels of F- and SO4(2-) adsorbed or absorbed on the particles ranged from 16.27 to 46.18 micrograms/m3 and from 244.7 to 374.6 micrograms/m3, respectively. Gaseous and soluble fluorides constituted a considerable proportion of the inorganic fluorides. Nevertheless, the level of F- in air was considered to be inadequate to cause the observed severity of fluorosis. It is speculated that additional intake of F- from contaminated foods might also be a major factor contributing to the fluorosis. Additionally, some volatile elements (e.g., sulfur and its derivatives) might have some relation to fluorosis of this type.

OSTI ID:
5655616
Journal Information:
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences; (United States), Vol. 3:4; ISSN 0895-3988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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