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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Xianghui Qin, BM¹, Xinhua Li, MD¹, Maojuan Yu, MD¹, and Lei Zhang, PhD, MBA². (1) Department of Preventive Medicine, Guiyang Medical College, School of Public Health, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550004, China, 601-898-3413, leizhangmba@yahoo.com, (2) Health Services Data Unit, Mississippi Department of Health, PO Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700

Objective: To investigate and compare the effects of airborne fluoride from unvented indoor burning of fluoride-rich coal on the bones and teeth of children in Southwestern China.

Setting: Fluoride-rich coal burned indoors without adequate ventilation has contributed to many cases of endemic dental and skeletal fluorosis in Southwestern China. Children are more vulnerable and prone to develop such conditions.

Methods: A sample of 1,616 students aged 7-16 years from a heavy-polluted region of Zhijin county in Guizhou province were selected using cluster sample. A questionnaire, including related factors, was used as the screening tool for all selected students. Based on the responses, 370 students were classified as high risk for skeletal fluorosis and further examined with X-ray. In addition, 46 students from a less polluted local school were chosen as controls.

Results: A total of 122 children from the case group, or 7.6%, were diagnosed with skeletal fluorosis. The child skeletal fluorosis was more prevalent among boys (8.5% vs. 6.4% for girls). There was no significant difference on skeletal fluorosis between children aged 7-11 years and 12-16 years. Children with skeletal fluorosis were more likely to have dental fluorosis. The prevalence for both skeletal fluorosis and dental fluorosis were significantly higher than those from controls, respectively.

Conclusions: Child skeletal fluorosis caused by indoor burning of coal affects children physical development. Efforts must increase to improve the indoor ventilation and to curb behaviors that may lead to skeletal fluorosis.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Describe the prevalence of child skeletal fluorosis from indoor burning of coal in Southwestern China. (
• Describe the factors associated with child skeletal fluorosis. (
• Understand the case-control study method. (
• Understand statistical testing procedures, such as Chi-square.

Keywords: Child Health, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation