[Estimation of exposure to fluoride in "Los Altos de Jalisco", México].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the level of fluoride exposure and human health risks in Los Altos de Jalisco (Jalisco State Heights) region.


METHODS
This study was conducted between May and July 2002. The fluoride concentrations of 105 water wells and six tap water samples were electrochemically measured. Exposure doses to fluoride and total intake of fluoride were estimated for babies (10 kg), children (20 kg), and adults (70 kg).


RESULTS
The fluoride concentration of the water samples ranged from 0.1 to 17.7 mg/l. More than 45% of the water samples exceeded the national guideline value for fluoride of 1.5 mg/l. The estimated values of the exposure doses to fluoride and total intake of fluoride were in the range of 0.04-1.8 mg/kg/d and 0.5-18.4 mg/d, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and bone fractures are some of the potential health risks due to the intake of high doses of fluoride for the population of Los Altos de Jalisco. In order to reduce health risks, fluoridated salt,fluoridated toothpastes, and drinking water containing more than 0.7 mg/l of fluoride should be avoided.
Hurtado-Jiménez
Roberto
R
El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, A.C. Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. rhurtado@colef.mx
Gardea-Torresdey
Jorge
J
D000328:Adult; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides