Zhi-Zhong Guan
Guizhou Medical University, P. R. China
Title: Coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis in China – From basic research to clinic prevention
Biography
Biography: Zhi-Zhong Guan
Abstract
Endemic fluorosis widely occurs in the world and is characterized by skeletal and dental fl uorosis and a vast array of pathological changes in whole bodies, which has been proved by our large number of basic investigations. Coal-burning type of endemic fl uorosis is the severest one, which was confi rmed in China in 1970’s. Th is type of endemic fluorosis is primarily induced by fl uoride-contaminated food and air indoor caused by smoke emitted during burning coal, which contains a high concentration of fl uoride. In China, about 36 millions of people live in such areas of coal-burning type of endemic flruosis. Among the population, 18 millions are suff ered from dental fl uorosis and 1.5 millions skeletal fl uorosis. Since 1980, an efficient strategy relating integrated control has been carried out for eliminating the disease in in China. After taking the measurement for many years, the adapted coal-burning stoves have been set up and the improve health education obtained in most of
families in the endemic fluorosis areas, which brings the signifi cant decline of fl uoride contamination on food and air indoor. The strategy has successfully resulted in a signifi cant decrease in the numbers of the patients with dental and skeletal fluorosis, and in a great improvement in health conditions of the people lived in the areas. At present, the coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis in China has been effi ciently controlled at present. Importantly, it is necessary to take a long-period of integrated control for effi ciently eliminating the hazard of coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis.
