title: [Assessment of exposure to fluorine and health effects in the production of aluminum].
abstract: To check the current levels of exposure to fluorine and possible implications for health, 429 workers of a plant for aluminum production were involved in this study. The protocol included a medical examination with standardized questionnaire and dosage of urinary fluorine at the beginning and end of the shift. Workers with an urinary value greater than 5 mg F/L (66% of the limit SCOEL) were examined also by X-ray of the pelvis (AP); they were classified for the presence of fluorosis by a semiquantitative scale. Workers directly exposed showed a statistically significant difference compared to non/indirectly exposed ones (mean at the end of shift 3.11 vs 0.59/0.29 mg F/L respectively). No worker showed actual clinical signs or symptoms uniquely related to fluorosis. According to the adopted criteria it was found "possible fluorosis" or "initial fluorosis" in 4.81% of the workers (all with duration of exposure more than 20 years), no case of confirmed fluorosis.
authors: Divisione Tossicologica CIMAL (DITOC), Centro Italiano Medicina Ambiente Lavoro (Gruppo CIMAL), Milano, Italy. irene.martinotti@gruppocimal.it
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Martinotti
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Foà
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Cirla
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum; D005461:Fluorine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D005461:Fluorine; D000535:Aluminum