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Related Experiment Video

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Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

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Skeletal fluorosis from instant tea.

Michael P Whyte¹, William G Totty, Vivienne T Lim

¹Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis, Missouri, USA.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

|January 9, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Excessive consumption of extra-strength instant tea led to skeletal fluorosis (SF) in a woman due to high fluoride (F(-)) levels. This highlights the need for understanding safe fluoride limits in popular beverages.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Toxicology
Orthopedics

Background:

Skeletal fluorosis (SF) is linked to prolonged intake of fluoride (F(-)) in well water (>4 ppm).
Teas, especially black and green varieties, can be significant sources of dietary F(-).
A case in 2005 highlighted SF from daily consumption of double-strength instant tea.

Observation:

A 49-year-old woman presented with chronic musculoskeletal pain and axial osteosclerosis.
She reported consuming 2 gallons of extra-strength instant tea daily since age 12.
Diagnostic tests revealed elevated serum and urinary F(-) levels, and high F(-) concentrations in nail clippings.

Findings:

Radiographs confirmed marked osteosclerosis of the axial skeleton without ligament calcification.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) showed significantly elevated bone mineral density (Z-scores +10.3 lumbar spine, +2.8 total hip).
The prepared instant tea contained 5.8 ppm F(-), with the tea powder contributing ~35 mg of daily F(-) intake.

Implications:

Habitual intake of large volumes of extra-strength instant tea can cause skeletal fluorosis (SF).
This case underscores the importance of recognizing potential skeletal safety limits for popular beverages.
Further research is needed to understand the long-term skeletal effects of modern tea preparations.