[Epidemiological studies on endemic fluorosis and arsenism in Xinjiang]

Epidemiological and clinical studies on the water of 102 wells containing high-level fluoride and arsenic and a population of 50,760 drinking the water in Kuitun Area, Xinjiang were conducted. Results indicated fluoride and arsenic contents in the well water were associated with geochemical environment, and drinking the water containing high-level fluoride and arsenic for a long-term was the cause of fluorosis and arsenism. Also, diagnostic criteria and major clinical manifestations for fluorosis and arsenism were put forward in the paper. Relationship between fluoride and arsenic contents in the well water and prevalence of fluorosis and arsenism in local residents was analyzed. It suggested fluorosis and arsenism was a systematic disorder and further studies on its potential hazard were merited.