title: The physical and chemical characteristics of particles in indoor air where high fluoride coal burning takes place.
abstract: In China, more than 10 million people suffer from fluorosis caused by the burning of high fluoride coal. Analysis of the particulate matters of indoor air from these fluorosis areas reveals a logarithmic distribution of particle sizes. The levels of F- and SO4(2-) adsorbed or absorbed on the particles ranged from 16.27 to 46.18 micrograms/m3 and from 244.7 to 374.6 micrograms/m3, respectively. Gaseous and soluble fluorides constituted a considerable proportion of the inorganic fluorides. Nevertheless, the level of F- in air was considered to be inadequate to cause the observed severity of fluorosis. It is speculated that additional intake of F- from contaminated foods might also be a major factor contributing to the fluorosis. Additionally, some volatile elements (e.g., sulfur and its derivatives) might have some relation to fluorosis of this type.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Health and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000838:Anions; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003031:Coal; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012906:Smoke
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000838:Anions; D003031:Coal; D012906:Smoke; D005459:Fluorides