Intelligence Impact of Children with Endemic Fluorosis Caused by Fluoride from Coal Burning / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the adverse effect of endemic fluorosis caused by fluoride from coal burning on the intelligence of children. Methods Four primary schools were selected respectively from slight, moderate, severe endemic fluorosis areas and the control area in Xinhua county of Hu'nan Province, and twenty children of grade 5 were randomly chosen in each school. The seriousness of dental fluorosis was examined by Dean's method and intelligence level was evaluated by CRT-RC. The morning urine was collected and the fluoride content in urine was measured by fluoride ion selection electrode method. Results The dental fluorosis was positively related to the fluoride content in urine (P0.05), but the difference was significant in the abilities of comparative inference, serial relationship and abstract inference (P