Community health effects of a municipal water supply hyperfluoridation accident.
For 12 hours, excess hydrofluorosilicic acid was diverted to a 127-home community water supply. Fluoride levels peaked at 51 parts per million (ppm). Water acidification caused copper to leach from the domestic plumbing; raising copper levels to 25-41 ppm. Fifty-two (33 per cent) of those who drank hyperfluoridated water developed mild gastroenteritis. Vomiting was uncommon and symptom onsets usually occurred greater than 30 minutes after drinking water; suggesting that fluoride, rather than copper, caused illness. Skin contact with hyperfluoridated water caused itching and skin rashes.
Petersen
L R
LR
Centers for Disease Control.
Denis
D
D
Brown
D
D
Hadler
J L
JL
Helgerson
S D
SD
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D003237:Connecticut; D005457:Fluoridation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012825:Silicon / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014881:Water Supply
D012824:Silicic Acid; C035291:hexafluorosilicic acid; D005459:Fluorides; D012825:Silicon