[Fluorine in the urine and bones of occupationally exposed workers and non-exposed men]

The fluorine concentration (determined by means of fluorine specific electrode) in the urine of occupationally exposed workers in the aluminium industry showed elevated values of 4.8 +/- 2.9 microgram F/ml (arithmetic mean, n = 33). In comparison, non exposed men, aged 14-68 (n = 11), had values of 0.32 +/- 0.21 microgram F/ml urine. Children below the age of 10 a (n = 9) had a significantly lower fluorine concentration of 0.12 +/- 0.07 microgram F/ml urine. A 56 years old man suffering from severe industrial fluorosis showed fluorine concentrations of, 2.5-3.4 microgram F/ml urine. A bone biopsy specimen (iliac crest) taken from this man showed a fluorine concentration of 4320 ppm, which corresponds to a twenty-fold increase of fluorine, compared with controls.