Urinary Fluoride as an Exposure Index in Aluminum Smelting

Abstract

Urinary fluoride was evaluated as an exposure index for a prospective study of asthma in an aluminum smelter. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the relationship between airborne exposure and urinary excretion over a workweek, and to describe exposures among jobs and over time. Thirty-two subjects were evaluated on Days 1 and 3 of a 3-day workweek. On each day, spot urine samples were collected prior to the start of work and again at the end of the shift. Samples were analyzed for fluoride and expressed as milligrams fluoride per gram of creatinine. Airborne exposures to total particulate, fluoride particulate, and hydrogen fluoride (HF; using a 37-mm filter cassette containing a filter and treated back-up pad) were also evaluated on each subject. In the second study, postshift urine samples were collected from asthma study volunteers in three surveys extending over 1.5 years and analyzed for fluoride. Average airborne exposures were 15.7, 4.1, and 0.7 mg/m3 for particulates, particulate fluorides and HF, respectively, and were substantially higher among carbon setters than other workers. However, average urine fluorides among the same workers were reasonably low, 1.3 and 3.0 mg/g creatinine in pre- and postshift urine samples, respectively. Carbon setters, who routinely wore respiratory protection during high exposure periods, had urinary fluoride levels similar to those of other potroom personnel. A significant variation in dose, as expressed by postshift urinary fluoride levels, was observed between potroom and nonpotroom jobs and over three survey periods. These results suggest that postshift urinary fluorides provide a reasonable exposure index for surveillance of exposure levels for an epidemiologic study, and that a substantial variation of exposure occurs between jobs and over time. Although urinary fluorides may be used for exposure surveillance, additional details on individual exposure agents and patterns of exposure over time are required for complete assessment.

Chemical Contamination of Soil on Urban Territories With Aluminum Production in the Baikal Region, Russia

“…56 Different studies have shown that the aluminum industry discharges fluoride into the air, and several studies have shown a slight but significant contribution to the intake of fluoride by children living around aluminum smelters. 30,31 The research 30 found that fluoride excretion decreases with age in children (r = 0.31), but the authors do not discuss any interfering factors, for example, dental treatment with fluorine-containing drugs or the use of bottled water with fluorine. In a different country, total fluoride intake, urinary excretion, and consequently fluoride retention no longer reflect residence in a community with a nonfluoridated or fluoridated water supply 67,68 because of fluoride toothpaste of 57%, 35%, and 47% for children receiving low, suboptimally, and optimally fluoridated water, respectively.…”

“…28 Rare articles have reviewed potential health hazards that may also pose health risks 29 to some communities because of their proximity to aluminum smelters. 21,30,31 They pinpoint that there is a potential for materials such as sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, fluorides, and beryllium capable of posing health risks to communities. 21 Its toxic action is insignificant; however, many water-soluble inorganic compounds, as well as its satellite elements F, Be, and Li, are long-preserved and Chemical Contamination of Soil on Urban Territories With Aluminum Production in the Baikal Region, Russia Numerator-minimum-maximum; denominator-average.…”

Irritants, Irritancy and Irritant Induced Asthma

“…The entity is referred to as "Potroom asthma" [73,[190][191][192][193][194]. Suspicious etiologic factors are particulates of aluminum sodium fluoride along with hydrogen fluoride and other gases [194][195][196][197][198][199].…”

Fluoride Exposure and the Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Urinary Fluoride Levels in Primary Aluminum Workers

“…Post-shift urinary fluoride is considered as an appropriate index for surveillance of exposure to fluoride in aluminum smelter [9]. On the other hand, according to Aylward et al [10], urinary flow and creatinine excretion are strongly individual and may vary from person to person.…”