Effects of Stoves Improving in Controlling Fluorosis in Coal-burning Endemic Fluorosis Areas in Shaanxi Province from 2001 to 2005 / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect and the influential factors of stoves improving in controlling fluorosis in the coal-burning endemic fluorosis areas. Methods Among the households whose stoves had been improved by 2001 and the improved ones were in use during the whole monitor, the dental fluorosis in children aged 8-12 years (n=318) and the skeletal fluorosis in adults older than 16 years were examined and the fluoride concentration in the indoor air, the corn, chili and the urine of children (n=253) was determined respectively. Results The dental fluorosis rates were 64.79%-87.93%, the skeletal fluorosis rate were 17.95%-21.97%, the fluoride levels in the urine were 2.50-4.03 mg/L, in the indoor air per day were 0.033 7-0.175 3 mg/m3, in chili and corn were 48.13-251.40 mg/kg, 2.06-4.06 mg/kg respectively. The dental fluorosis rate and the index went down significantly year by year from 2001 to 2004. The fluoride content in the chili and the children’s urine decreased in varying degrees from 2001 to 2005. The fluoride levels in the indoor air in 2004 and 2005 were significantly lower than that in 2001 respectively. Conclusion Coal-burning endemic fluorosis is still prevailing in this village. Stoves improving is an effective measure to prevent endemic fluorosis caused by coal-burning.