THE INFLUENCE OF FLUORINE COMPOUNDS ON THE BIOLOGICAL LIFE NEAR AN ALUMINUM FACTORY

by Jan Lezovic Dr. Sc.,
Chairman of Stomatological Clinic, Bratislava, Bezrucova, Czechoslovakia.

This paper deals with the effect of fluoride (F) upon the surroundings of an aluminum factory, from which fluorine compounds escape through the chimneys. The factory is situated in a 5-km-wide valley of a mountainous area. The nearest village is located within 300 meters. Smoke, vapors, and solid particles contaminate the atmosphere.

F values of the vegetation were determined prior to and after the start of operation of the factory. The increase and decrease of F levels in plants closely paralleled the distance from the factory (Table 1).

In relating damage to leaves to their fluoride content, varying degrees of sensitivity of leaves and needles to atmospheric fluoride were noted. Pine needles showed 7 to 54 times the normal fluoride levels, the leaves of oak trees 11 to 36 times, leaves of beech 16 to 72 times, of acacia 15 times.

Plants are sensitive to relatively small amounts of atmospheric pollutants. This is demonstrated by the fact that the chlorophyl content of leaves decreases at the point of necrosis and that the F content of plant tissue increases.

In an evergreen tree under observation, the tips of the needles turn yellow-green and gradually yellow-red. On fruit trees, the margins of the leaves were damaged at first. Subsequently, the color of the whole leaf surface changed. The leaves of exposed fruit trees were harder, glossier, tougher, more fragile than normally and covered with a whitish gray crust. Similar changes occurred on leaves of garden vegetables, especially cabbage, turnips and cucumbers. The harvest of 1966 yielded less than one-half of the yield of the year before the factory was in operation. The fruit on trees was visibly deformed. Apples, for instance, had an oval shape. In the center the color was green, as though the fruit had not yet ripened. A cut through the apple showed a marginal area about 0. 5 cm in width which was soft and of dark green color. Nuts were deformed and of a pale yellow color. Their hull could be crushed by light pressure when squeezed between the fingers.

The Institute of Hygiene in Bratislava recorded in samples of dry lettuce 95.8 to 133.3 PPM of F (10 times normal), in pears 11.16 to 11.30 PPM (5 times normal). Fluoride in apples was 20.9 times normal.

A layer of snow covering the F polluted territory served as an indicator of damage, since contaminants are precipitated and absorbed by snow flakes. F deposits on snow were of the order of magnitude of 16 to 234. 8 mg/m2.

In addition to vegetables, animal life was also affected in the polluted territory. The first sign occurred two years after the beginning of operation of the factory, when about 95% of the total cattle and goat population was afflicted with fluorosis. All colonies of bees, a total of 70, died off. Most damage to domestic animals was due to F dust which had settled on forage and to plant tissue poisoned by F.

Fluorosis can affect most animals. Their sensitivity to the disease is determined by the species, their management, sex, age, and their individual tolerance. Cattle, goats, and bees are more sensitive than swine, horses and poultry.

F determinations were made on internal organs of the diseased cattle, on milk, bones, and on hay, grass and wheat. The analysis was carried out by the Department of Chemistry of the Karls University with the following results:

The calcium levels in blood of diseased animals averaged 7.5 mg%, phosphorus 5.06 mg%.

The weight of the cattle decreased gradually to the point of cachexia. The ribs were distinctly divided from each other; osteoporotic exostoses were visible. Pelvic bones and lumbar vertebrae were very prominent. The skin of the animals was dry, their coat rough and without luster. The total picture was one of muscular weakness and general malaise. The teeth of heifers were dark black and hypoplastic, especially the upper incisors. In some cows the teeth were loose, even those which were not stained.

Summary

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of tissues, milk and teeth, along with clinical and pathological findings of bones, showed that the biological life near an aluminum factory was adversely affected by fluoride emissions.

To learn more about fluoride pollution, see www.fluoridealert.org/f-pollution.htm