Two small selective surveys (in 196516 and 196819) of leafy vegetables in areas known to be exposed to industrial contamination with fluorine compounds are reported. The highest fluorine content (297 p.p.m.) was found in a sample of kale in the Stoke-on-Trent area. In general the results for cabbage and lettuce in 196.516 averaged 17p.p.m. for unwashed and I 1 p.p.m. for washed vegetables on a moisture-fuee basis. In the 196819 exercise the corresponding figures were 22 p.p.m. and 12 p.p.ni. respectively. The average intake of fluoride fiom cabbage, lettuce and brussels spronts in such an area has been calculated as 0.03 nig/head/day with a likely n7aximuni of 0.08 mglheadlday (if all 3 vegetables were contaminated to the maximum levels observed). These figures are compared with the average daily intnke of fluoride in the whole diet, and in particular fish, in the West Midlands area.
IN assessing margins of safety and possible toxic hazards from fluorides, it is necessary to consider the body's total intake of fluoride from all sources. This consideration is important when determining the optimum level of fluoride for dental protection before embarking on a scheme for the fluoridation of a water supply, and it is necessary also when considering possible hazards from fluorides to the community in the vicinity of industries emitting them. The total intake will be derived in part from the diet, in part from drinking water, and in part from the atmosphere. McClure (1) made a comprehensive analysis of the fluoride content of individual foods and estimated the adult intake from the diet, excluding that derived from drinking water, was 0.2-0.3 mg. per day. Cholak (2), as a result of the analyses of actual dietaries, calculated an intake of 0.34-0.80 Dr. Martin is a senior medical officer in the British Department of Health and Social Security and secretary of that department's Fluoridation Research Committee. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Food Science Advice Branch of the British Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This paper is based on one given at the annual meeting of the Air Pollution Control Association at St. Louis, Mo., in June 1970. Tearsheet requests to
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