Effect of Cooking Stoves Improved in Controlling Fluorosis Caused by Burning Coal / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To know the implementary circs and short-dated effects of cooking stoves improvement in reducing fluoride level in the endemic fluorosis areas and to offer the background information and scientific basis for continuing the development of cooking stoves improvement in reducing fluoride level. Methods To do the surveys in the households, 769 families were selected and investigated from 38 000 peasant families in the program, by cluster sampling with 2% sample rate and 70 families were randomly selected from them, the fluoride levels in the air, foodstuff, non-staple food was determined. Results 98.7% of the families in the cooking stoves improvement areas could rightly use the improved stove. The fluoride levels in corn and hot peppers were greatly improved in county A compared with that in 2000, but the fluoride levels in the air, foodstuff, non-staple food still exceeded the standard limit, not all reached the national standard. Conclusion The headstream interventions measure in coal-burning type endemic fluorosis areas is effective. Controlling the fluoride pollution of capsicum and tea is necessary, the production methods must be improved. The health education and management should be strengthened for reducing fluoride level in the investigated areas.