Summary
Twenty glass industry workers from three plants exposed to different atmospheric HF-levels have been studied with respect to their renal fluoride excretion. Analyses have been carried out on preshift and post-shift urine samples as well as on 24-hour urine. In addition, the fluoride concentration of the working atmosphere has been determined. Intake — excretion balances showed that the total renal fluoride excretion was between 10 and 60 % of the inhaled HF. The results lead to the conclusions:
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1.
There exists a direct correlation between atmospheric fluoride concentration and renal fluoride excretion (r = 0,8615).
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2.
There exists a significant correlation between total daily elimination of fluoride and the fluoride concentration in post-shift urine-samples (r = 0,9324).
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3.
As the atmospheric HF-concentration increases there appears to be a decrease in the amount of fluoride renally eliminated.
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4.
There is no evidence for a statistical relationship between urine fluoride concentration and long term exposure.
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5.
Urine fluoride analyses of post-shift samples present a suitable monitoring method for persons exposed to HF. An assessment of a dose and response relationship is dependent upon the knowledge of the specific exposure at the working place. The physical and chemical state of the inhalation noxious (e.g. gaseous HF or fluoride containing dust) ist important. Thus the results from studies in the aluminium-industry (dust) cannot be compared with those obtained in the glass industry (gaseous HF).
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Zober, A., Geldmacher v. Mallinckrodt, M. & Schaller, K.H. Renal fluoride excretion as a useful parameter for monitoring hydrofluoric acid-exposed persons. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 40, 13–24 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00435513
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00435513