Fluoride poisoning
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2007) |
| Fluoride poisoning Classification and external resources |
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| DiseasesDB | 29228 |
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| eMedicine | emerg/181 |
| MeSH | D005458 |
In high concentrations, soluble fluoride salts are mildly toxic: 5-10 grams of sodium fluoride are required to kill most adult humans; a lethal dose is approximately 70 mg per kilogram of body mass.[1] Organofluorine compounds do not contain soluble fluoride and thus are not toxic because of fluorine. Organofluorines include many kinds of compounds such as Teflon and fluoxetine.
Like most soluble materials, fluoride compounds are readily absorbed by the intestines and excreted through the urine over the course of hours. Trace amounts are incorporated in bone. Urine tests are a good indication of high exposure to fluoride compounds in the recent past.
Skin or eye contact with many fluoride salts (in high concentrations) is dangerous.
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[edit] Fluorosis
Although there is some contradictory evidence on the issue,[1] the only generally accepted adverse effect of high concentration water fluoridation at this time is dental fluorosis. It is a condition caused by 'excessive' intake of fluoride ions over an extended period of time during tooth development (before teeth erupt into the mouth), and can cause yellowing of teeth, hypothyroidism, or brittling of bones and teeth. The definition of 'excessive' in the context of fluorosis falls on the order of parts per million (ppm) and is generally accepted to mean significantly higher than the 0.7 to 1.2 ppm amounts recommended for fluoridated water. Fluoride in small amount is considered by most dentists to be beneficial to teeth (see Fluoride therapy).
One of the side effects of fluoride poisoning is gastro-intestinal inflammation as fluoride toxicity has a corrosive effect on the mucous membrane which line the gut.[2] Among the potential metabolic disturbances reported caused by fluoride toxicity is the increased impact of the natural plant toxin, salicylate,[2], which may have particular significance in subgroups who already have high incidence of salicylate intolerance such as the ADHD and autism populations (see Autism therapies).
[edit] Possible sources
Historically, most cases of fluoride poisoning have been caused by accidental ingestion of insecticides or rodenticides.
- Glass-etching or Chrome-cleaning agents like ammonium bifluoride
- Industrial exposure to fluxes used to lower melting points of metals.
- Insecticides containing sodium fluoride
- Rodenticides containing sodium fluoride
[edit] Chronic toxicity
This article is focused on acute toxicity: the results of ingesting a large amount of fluoride in a short period of time. Chronic toxicity, the result of ingesting small amounts of fluoride over a long period of time, results in dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. These conditions are seen in areas where there is natural fluoride in the drinking water at levels above that added in public water supplies in the United States.[citation needed]
[edit] Symptoms of acute toxicity
Fluoride toxicity is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms. Symptom onset usually occurs within minutes of exposure. Severity of symptoms can depend on the amount of fluoride compounds ingested.
Symptoms of fluoride poisoning point towards some kind of profound metabolic dysfunction, very similar to the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
[edit] Gastrointestinal
When poisoned by fluoride, gastrointestinal signs predominate.
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dysphagia
- Hypersalivation
- Mucosal injury
- Nausea
- Vomiting
[edit] Electrolyte abnormalities
[edit] Neurologic effects
- Headache
- Hyperactive reflexes
- Muscle weakness
- Muscular spasm
- Paresthesia
- Seizures
- Tetanic contractions
- Tremor
[edit] Cardiovascular
[edit] Method of action
Ingested fluoride initially acts locally on the intestinal mucosa. It can form hydrofluoric acid in the stomach, which leads to gastrointestinal irritation or corrosion. After ingestion, the gastrointestinal tract is the earliest and most commonly affected organ system.
[edit] Treatment
In case of accidental swallowing, give milk, calcium carbonate or milk of magnesia to slow absorption. Eye or skin contact should be treated by removing any contaminated clothing and flushing with water.
[edit] References
- ^ Jean Aigueperse, Paul Mollard, Didier Devilliers, Marius Chemla, Robert Faron, Renée Romano, Jean Pierre Cuer, “Fluorine Compounds, Inorganic” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005 Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. DOI 10.1002/14356007.a11 307
- ^ a b eMedicine - Toxicity, Fluoride : Article by Geofrey Nochimson
[edit] External links
- "287" The Body Burden Movie for Theatrical Release 2008 will cover fluoride poisoning
- The "287" Body Burden blog
- Fluoride Action Network An international coalition seeking to broaden public awareness about the toxicity of fluoride compounds and the health impacts of current fluoride exposures.
- eMedicine article about Fluoride Toxicity by Geoffrey Nochimson, MD
- Acute fluoride poisoning from a public water system. Gessner BD, Beller M, Middaugh JP, Whitford GM.
- Re-Examination of Acute Toxicity of Fluoride, by Kenji Akiniwa, Tokyo, Japan
- Website of the "Parents of Fluoride poisoned children" foundation
- [2] fluoride may be used reliably to reduce thyroid function. This is therapeutic with hyperthyroidism.
- [3] Since fluorides reduce thyroid function, the full list of conditions associated with hypothyroidism(177 conditions) is also present in fluoride poisoning.
- impact of fluoride toxicity on salicylate levels and gut inflamation
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