REVIEW OF COAL-BURNING TYPE OF ENDEMIC FLUOROSIS: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL TREATMENTS

Abstract

In 2021 a comprehensive 465-page book, Coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis: Pathophysiology and clinical treatments, edited by Zhi-Zhong Guan, was published by Springer Nature Singapore.

Headnote

ABSTRACT: In 2021 a comprehensive 465-page book, Coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis: Pathophysiology and clinical treatments, edited by Zhi-Zhong Guan, was published by Springer Nature Singapore.

Keywords: Coal-burning fluorosis; Endemic fluorosis; Pathophysiology; Treatment.

A recent 2021 publication by Springer Nature Singapore, is a comprehensive 465-page book, Coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis: Pathophysiology and clinical treatments, edited by Zhi-Zhong Guan (Figure). In the preface it is noted that endemic fluorosis is a geochemical disease. In addition to the typical clinical manifestations of skeletal and dental fluorosis, it also causes systemic damage. In the natural environment, an excessive fluoride intake in the human body through drinking water, air, food, tea, and other sources, results in chronic systemic toxic lesions. Internationally, endemic fluorosis affects more than 20 countries, including China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Iran, Argentina, the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa. Among these countries, China and India are the worst afflicted by endemic fluorosis with the most widespread range. In China, most provinces and regions have areas with endemic fluorosis of which three types are found: (i) the drinking water type, (ii) the coal- burning type, and (iii) the brick tea drinking type. Based on past surveys, there were as many as 1,308 counties with such areas in China, with a population of 116 million affected by the disease.

The concept of an excessive fluoride intake from food, instead of from water contamination as was previously thought to be the case, was first proposed in the 1970s by a team, led by the well-known professor Zan-Dao Wei, from Guizhou Medical University. Later, it was confirmed by the scientists in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Guizhou and the Guiyang Institute of Geochemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was found that local residents in these fluorosis areas burned coal containing a high amount of fluoride indoors, using stoves without exhaust systems, chimneys or flues, for cooking and baking (grains, peppers, and vegetables), as well as for keeping warm in the winter. This resulted in chronic poisoning caused by an excessive fluoride intake, which was termed the coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis. At present, there are 13 provinces with a population of 34 million at risk of the coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis. The worst affected provinces are Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, and Hunan.

For a long time, Chinese scientists and workers in disease prevention have done a lot of basic and on-site prevention and control research on the coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis and have achieved remarkable results. The book covers the origin, relevant epidemiology, pathology, molecular mechanisms, biological markers of early diagnosis, clinical treatment and prevention, and the evaluation of the comprehensive control on the coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis

Dr Guan notes that he has been working on fluorosis research since the 1970s. He found that although the study of endemic fluorosis could be daunting with various hardships and difficulties, when they discovered through research effective ways of addressing the sufferings of the population living in the disease areas, their joy was unparalleled. Professor Guan comments that the book could be a good reference book and be of help for researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates in this field. The book might help to raise their awareness of the coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis and assist in implementing effective preventive measures so that the goal might be reached of completely eliminating the disease.

Coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis: Pathophysiology and clinical treatments, edited by Zhi-Zhong Guan, gives a comprehensive account of endemic or chronic fluorosis and how coal-burning endemic fluorosis can be managed and eliminated. Among the details given, it is noted that if the pregnant mother is exposed to high levels of fluoride for a long time, the accumulated fluoride will not only affect her own nervous system but also accumulate in the offspring's nervous system resulting in a certain degree of adverse effects on the development and differentiation of the central nervous system of the offspring.

The book is a sound source of knowledge on both coal-burning fluorosis and endemic (chronic) fluorosis in general and can be highly recommended.

Bruce Spittle, Editor-in-Chief, Fluoride, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sidebar

Guan ZZ, editor. Coal-burning type of endemic fluorosis: Pathophysiology and clinical treatments. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore; 2021. Buying options for individuals: eBook (ISBN978-98116-1498-9): EUR117.69; hard cover book (ISBN978-981-16-1497-2): EUR149.99 with free worldwide shipping; soft cover book (ISBN 978-981-16-1500-9, with free world-wide shipping, not yet released but it will be able to be pre-ordered soon): EUR109.99. Illustrations: 4 black and white; 19 colour. pp. xvi front pages and 465 text pages. The subscription content of SpringerNature may also be accessed through an institutional login system or a Springer account.

Footnote

aAvailable from: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-16-1498-9#toc.