title: Spatial variation of fluorosis and fluoride content of water in an endemic area in Bophuthatswana.
abstract: The prevalence and severity of fluorosis were examined in 5 villages in one endemic area. The fluorosis indices of Thylstrup and Fejerskov and of Dean were used. 3,103 children were examined and the drinking water sources of each of the 1,635 fluorosis cases established. The F- content of all the water sources was monitored for 12 months. ANOVA revealed that the differences between the villages as regards the F- content of the water, did not adequately explain the differences in the occurrence of fluorosis. Both the prevalence and the severity of fluorosis were remarkably high, especially in association with low F- concentrations (less than 0.5 mg/l). No threshold levels for F- were apparent and 0.8 mg/l is evidently too high to serve as maximum recommended F- level in this region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, University of South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zietsman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005459:Fluorides