Ocular surface and respiratory tract damages from occupational, sub-chronic exposure to fluorspar: case report and other considerations.

OBJECTIVES: To report the ocular surface and respiratory tract damages due to a sub-chronic (3 months), occupational exposure to fluorspar dust in case of inconsistent use of personal protective equipment. METHODS: A 50-year-old man was referred to our clinic with bilateral conjunctival injection, ocular foreign body sensation and symptoms of ocular discomfort. He reported having 3 days before an urgent hospital admission for dyspnoea with odynophagia, hyposmia, nausea, vomiting, headache and asthenia. Otorhinolaryngological examination revealed a severe hypertrophic rhinopharyngitis and a significant decrease in overall sensitivity to olfactory stimuli. General anamnesis was negative for previous diseases or medication use. RESULTS: Ocular examination revealed a diffuse injection of the ocular surface with some areas of conjunctival and limbal ischaemia, a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 in both eyes, an intraocular pressure of 23 and 21 mmHg, respectively, in the right and in the left eyes, and a normal fundus oculi. Assessment of the tear film and ocular surface showed the presence of dry eye disease. Based on medical history and clinical tests, initial diagnostic hypothesis was ocular surface burn due to chemical exposure, i.e. to fluorspar. Therefore, anterior segment fluorescein angiography was performed to confirm the extension of conjunctival and limbal ischaemia. Thus, ocular ischaemia was detected in approximately 10 clock hours of limbus and in 50% of conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS: The present work remarks the importance of using protective equipment for preventing ocular and respiratory tract damages in workers occupationally exposed to the 'acid-grade fluorite'.

Fluoruro en aguas minerales naturales envasadas en España y prevención de la caries dental / Fluoride content of bottled natural mineral waters in Spain and prevention of dental caries

OBJETIVO: El propósito del estudio es conocer la concentración en flúor de las aguas minerales naturales comercializadas en España para poder prevenir la caries dental sin el riesgo de causar fluorosis dental. DISEÑO: Estudio descriptivo y transversal a lo largo de 2012. Emplazamiento: Aguas minerales naturales comercializadas en España. PARTICIPANTES: Tres muestras con fechas distintas de embotellado de 109 marcas de aguas minerales naturales (97 marcas españolas y 12 aguas importadas). Medición principal: Determinación analítica por cromatografía iónica del contenido en fluoruro en el agua. RESULTADOS: La concentración mediana de fluoruro de las aguas minerales naturales españolas es de 0,22 (rango 0,00-4,16; rango intercuartil: 0,37). La gran mayoría (61 marcas, 62%) contenían menos de 0,30 mg/L. Hay 19 marcas que contienen más de 0,6 mg/L. Hay 19 marcas españolas que contienen más de 0,6 mg/L. En las 12 aguas minerales importadas, la mediana es de 0,35 (rango 0,10-1,21; rango intercuartil: 0,23). Sólo en 28 de las 109 marcas examinadas (25,6%) se especificaba el contenido de fluoruro en la etiqueta. Se observa una buena correlación entre las concentraciones indicadas y los valores analizados. CONCLUSIONES: Las concentraciones de fluoruro en las aguas minerales naturales comercializadas en España muestran una gran variabilidad. Dado el creciente consumo de las aguas minerales naturales en España, este tipo de información es de suma importancia para poder hacer una correcta utilización de flúor en la prevención primaria de la caries dental

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of fluoride in natural mineral waters marketed in Spain in order to prevent tooth decay without the risk of causing dental fluorosis DESIGN: Descriptive and cross-sectional study during 2012. LOCATION: Natural mineral waters marketed in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Three bottles with different bottling dates of 109 natural mineral waters (97 Spanish and 12 imported brands). Main measures: Determination of fluoride by ion chromatography RESULTS: Median fluoride concentrations of the natural mineral waters bottled in Spain was 0.22 (range 0.00-4.16; interquartile range:0.37). Most samples (61 brands, 62%) contained less than 0.3 mg/L. There are 19 Spanish brands with more than 0.6 mg/L. The median level in imported brands was 0.35 (range 0.10-1.21; interquartile range: 0.23). Only 28 of the 109 brands examined (25.6%) specified the fluoride content on the label. Good correlation was observed between the concentrations indicated and those determined. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoride concentrations in natural mineral waters showed high variation. Given the growing consumption of natural mineral waters in Spain, this type of information is important to make proper use of fluoride in the primary prevention of dental caries

Increased prevalence of renal disease in silica-exposed workers.

We report an increased prevalence of renal disease, particularly glomerulonephritis, in Upper Weardale, UK. Silica exposure during fluorspar mining and processing is a likely cause.

Formaçäo in vitro de fluoreto de cálcio e fluorapatita em esmalte humano após a aplicaçäo de gel flúor-fosfato acidulado durante 1 e 4 minutos / In vitro calcium fluoride and fluorapatite formation in human dental enamel after apf gel aplication during 1 and 4 minutes

Os autores, através de uma metodologia in vitro, avaliam 2 tempos de aplicaçäo de gel flúor-fosfato acidulado (FFA), 1 e 4 min, em esmalte dental humano hígido. Realizaram análise de fluoreto de cálcio (flúor fracamente ligado ao esmalte) e fluoratita (flúor fortemente ligado ao esmalte). Encontraram, através do teste näo paramétrico de Kruskall-Wallis H, considerando nível de significância de 1 por cento, diferença significante entre o grupo controle e os grupos testes. Näo encontraram diferença significante entre os dois grupos testes

Alkali-soluble fluoride deposition on human enamel exposed to monofluorophosphate: containing toothpastes in vitro / Deposição de fluoreto-alcalino solúvel no esmalte humano exposto ao monofluorfosfato presente em pastas dentárias \"in vitro\"

Enamel specimens from unerupted third molars were treated with the supernatant of monofluorophosphate (MFP) containing toothpaste slurries in water. Calcium fluoride-like particles were formed on the enamel surface during a 24h exposure. The globules were soluble in alkali. More particles were seen on enamel treated with a toothpaste containing both MFP and NaF. The experiments showed that the calcium fluoride-like material formed on enamel after treatment with (MFP) containing toothpaste probably originates from the free fluoride present in the pastes. The relatively moderate deposition of fluoride may be of clinical significance because the teeth are so frequetly exposed to toothpaste. No firmly bound fluoride was found on treatment of enamel with (MFP) containing toothpaste

[Clinical and hygienic evaluation of the combined effect of vibration and fluoride in humans]. / Kliniko-gigienicheskaia otsenka sochetannogo deistviia na organizm vibratsii i ftora.

Hygienic evaluation of work conditions and clinical examination of workers in fluoride mines proved vibration disease to be the prevalent occupational entity in those employees. Caused by joint effects of vibration and fluor, the clinical signs in this context demonstrate short development, occupational disablement and possible connection with fluorosis. Joint effects of vibration and calcium fluoride vs. influence of the isolated hazards show more compromised functions and changes of fluor kinetics in the body.

[The clinical characteristics of the early stages of occupational fluorosis under the combined and joint action of production factors]. / Klinicheskie osobennosti rannikh stadii professional'nogo fliuoroza pri kombinirovannom i sochetannom deistvii proizvodstvennykh faktorov.

Over 1000 workers of hydrofluoric and cryolite enterprises and electrolysis shops of aluminium enterprises were examined. Subjects exposed to soluble hydrofluorides presented in the early stage of chronic intoxication with a variety of syndromes, that was characteristic of intoxication with poisons of general toxic action with involvement of hepatobiliary, digestive, circulatory and autonomic nervous systems. Combined exposure to fluoric compounds, heating microclimate and electromagnetic fields results in a graver involvement of the circulatory and autonomic nervous systems. Clinical and experimental data show, that osteoarthrosis deformans of the major joints (primarily elbow joint) must be regarded as one of the symptoms of fluorosis, when other intoxication signs are present.

[Teratological aspects of CaF2 medication]. / Teratologische Aspekte einer CaF2-Medikation.

CaF2 was studied in animal experiments to determine its effect over a period of several generations. The negative effects of AcF2 on embryogenesis increase as the dosage is increased. The effects however are slight compared with other fluorides.