Yx. Chen et al., AIR POLLUTION-TYPE FLUOROSIS IN THE REGION OF PINGXIANG, JIANGXI, PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA, Archives of environmental health, 48(4), 1993, pp. 246-249
This paper reports on the epidemiology, environmental factors, geologi
cal features, and total amount of fluoride intake by residents of the
Pingxiang region in the Peoples' Republic of China where there is a hi
gh incidence of endemic fluorosis. The results demonstrate that the ty
pe of endemic fluorosis is related to air pollution, the major source
of which comes from coal that is burned by the residents in their home
s. 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 t
o mix the coal is considerably high; the content in the mud used as ad
obe 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 c
onverted into water-soluble fluoride, which can have major human healt
h effects.