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Biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure in groundwater in a highly exposed population.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rango, T; Vengosh, A; Jeuland, M; Whitford, GM; Tekle-Haimanot, R
Published in: The Science of the total environment
October 2017

This study examined the relation between fluoride (F-) concentrations in fingernail clippings and urine and the prevalence and severity of enamel fluorosis (EF) among Ethiopian Rift Valley populations exposed to high levels of F- in drinking water. The utility of fingernail clippings as a biomarker for F- exposure and EF was also assessed for the first time in a high-F- region. The study recorded the EF status of 386 individuals (10 to 50years old), who consume naturally contaminated groundwater with widely varying F- concentration (0.6-15mg/L). The mean F- concentrations among residents of communities with primary reliance on groundwater were 5.1mg/kg (range: 0.5-34mg/kg) in fingernails and 8.9mg/L (range: 0.44-34mg/L) in urine. We show strong positive correlations between F- in drinking water and 12-hour urinary excretion (r=0.74, p<0.001, n=287), fingernail F- content (r=0.6, p<0.001, n=258), and mean individual measures of EF severity as measured using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF) Index (r=0.42, p<0.001, n=316). The data indicate that both fingernail and urine measures are good biomarkers for F- exposure and EF outcomes, the latter being slightly more sensitive. Cases of moderate/severe EF were significantly more common among younger subjects (10 to 15years old) than older subjects (mostly >25years old) (p<0.001), consistent with their greater exposure to F- during early childhood, which is the only period of life the enamel is at risk of fluorosis. In this younger population, EF may be useful as a biomarker for identifying individuals with other potential health effects that depend on a specific age window of susceptibility. The finding of exceptionally high F- concentrations in water, fingernail clippings and urine in this region should motivate further investigations of other potential health consequences such as bone disease and abnormalities in the function of the neurological and endocrine systems.

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Published In

The Science of the total environment

DOI

EISSN

1879-1026

ISSN

0048-9697

Publication Date

October 2017

Volume

596-597

Start / End Page

1 / 11

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Water Supply
  • Nails
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Groundwater
  • Fluorosis, Dental
  • Fluorides
  • Female
 

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Rango, T., Vengosh, A., Jeuland, M., Whitford, G. M., & Tekle-Haimanot, R. (2017). Biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure in groundwater in a highly exposed population. The Science of the Total Environment, 596597, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.021
Rango, Tewodros, Avner Vengosh, Marc Jeuland, Gary M. Whitford, and Redda Tekle-Haimanot. “Biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure in groundwater in a highly exposed population.The Science of the Total Environment 596–597 (October 2017): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.021.
Rango T, Vengosh A, Jeuland M, Whitford GM, Tekle-Haimanot R. Biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure in groundwater in a highly exposed population. The Science of the total environment. 2017 Oct;596–597:1–11.
Rango, Tewodros, et al. “Biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure in groundwater in a highly exposed population.The Science of the Total Environment, vol. 596–597, Oct. 2017, pp. 1–11. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.021.
Rango T, Vengosh A, Jeuland M, Whitford GM, Tekle-Haimanot R. Biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure in groundwater in a highly exposed population. The Science of the total environment. 2017 Oct;596–597:1–11.
Journal cover image

Published In

The Science of the total environment

DOI

EISSN

1879-1026

ISSN

0048-9697

Publication Date

October 2017

Volume

596-597

Start / End Page

1 / 11

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Water Supply
  • Nails
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Groundwater
  • Fluorosis, Dental
  • Fluorides
  • Female