| Agent Name |
FLUORIDES |
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| Alternative Name |
CLASS |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Fluorspar; Cryolite; |
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| Category |
Fluorides, Inorganic |
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| Description |
The main fluoride minerals are fluorspar (CaF2) and cryolite (Na3AlF6). [ACGIH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the primary production of aluminum, smelting operations (flux), welding (welding rods), and water treatment; [Levy, p. 554] Fluorosis was first recognized in the 1930s in factories processing cryolite. Today, occupational fluoride exposure occurs in factories manufacturing aluminum, glass, and fertilizer. Exposure also occurs in workers mining and processing cryolite, fluorspar, and apatite. [Rosenstock, p. 544] |
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| Comments |
50% of absorbed fluoride is excreted in urine within 24 hours; 99% of the remainder is taken up by bone with a 1/2 life of up to 8 years; tooth mottling is caused by 2-4 mg/day; skeletal changes are rare at 8 mg/day, but can be crippling at 20 to 80 mg/day; [Rosenstock, p. 544] Fluorides (inorganic, used in drinking water) are not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans. [IARC] The PEL and IDLH apply to sodium fluoride and other inorganic, solid fluorides. [NIOSH] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
Fluorides in urine = 3 mg/g creatinine prior to shift or 10 mg/g creatinine at end of shift; |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| Bioaccumulates |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
2.5 mg/m3, as F |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
2.5 mg/m3, as F |
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| MAK |
1 mg/m3, as F (inhalable fraction) |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
250 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Skin rashes and complaints of the gastric, intestinal, circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems have been reported in workers exposed chronically to concentrations ranging from 11 to 24 mg F/m3 [Roholm 1937]. Chronic exposures at concentrations greater than 24 mg F/m3 have been considered to be "elevated" and a concentration of 10 mg F/m3 was considered "excessive" [Collings et al. 1952]. It has also been stated that the atmospheric concentration immediately hazardous to life is unknown, and particulate fluorides are not likely to cause acute health problems among workers unless large quantities are ingested; concentrations producing immediate illness are unknown, but most likely are very high [AIHA 1965]. . . . |
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| Half Life |
Serum: 3-7 hours; [TDR, p. 706] 50% of absorbed fluoride is excreted in the urine within 24 hours. Of the remainder, 99% is absorbed in bone with a half-life of up to 8 years. [Rosenstock, p. 544] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Fluorides, Hydrogen Fluoride, and Fluorine (F) |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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