Abstract

HURTADO-JIMENEZ, Roberto  and  GARDEA-TORRESDEY, Jorge. Estimation of exposure to fluoride in "Los Altos de Jalisco", México. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2005, vol.47, n.1, pp.58-63. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the level of fluoride exposure and human health risks in Los Altos de Jalisco (Jalisco State Heights) region. MATERIAL AND 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.

Keywords : fluorine; fluorides; fluoride intake; fluorosis; Mexico.

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