Abstract

In pursuit of former observations on hydrofluorosis the authors conducted an investigation concerning the incidence of goiter and the function of the thyroid gland in subjects with hydrofluorosis from Aquaviva Platani, a large endemic center of Sicily. To evaluate thyroid function, radio-iodine uptake and the conversion index (PBI) with 131I were adopted. The incidence of goiter was not higher in endemic centers of hydrofluorosis than in nonfluorotic areas. Endemic goiter in hydrofluorotic areas is not attributable to the action of fluoride.