Ammonium hydrogendifluoride

Epidemiological data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

epidemiological data

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Single epidemiological study

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Epidemiologic health study of workers in an aluminium smelter in Kitimat, B.C. II effects on musculoskeletal and other systems.

Author:

Chan-Yueng et al

Year:

1983

Bibliographic source:

Arch. Environ. Hlth.; 38: 34-40.

Materials and methods

Study type:

cohort study (prospective)

Endpoint addressed:

repeated dose toxicity: inhalation

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Investigation of health effects in workers in an aluminium smelter.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Hydrogen fluoride

EC Number:

231-634-8

EC Name:

Hydrogen fluoride

Cas Number:

7664-39-3

IUPAC Name:

fluoride

Details on test material:

Exposure to particulate and gaseous fluoride was assessed.

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Ethical approval:

not specified

Details on study design:

The health effects in 2066 workers in an aluminium smelter was studied. The cohort comprised of high and medium exposed potroom workers as well as low exposed controls and a miscellaneous group. For each group exposure to particulate and gaseous fluoride, the urinary fluoride excretion were determined.

Exposure assessment:

measured

Details on exposure:

The cohort comprised of high and medium exposed potroom workers as well as low exposed controls and a miscellaneous group.

Statistical methods:

Not relevant.

Results and discussion

Results:

No overt signs of skeletal fluorosis were observed in workers exposed to concentrations of up to 0.48 mg F/m3. (0.2 mg/m3 for gaseous F- and 0.28 mg/m3 for fluoride dust) for up to ten years. Monitoring of the blood biochemistry parameters did not indicate any occurence of hepatic or renal effects. Changes in haemoglobin and haematocrit and calcium, although significant, were within the normal biological range. Serum calcium but not phosphate was increased in the highest exposure group. It was concluded that no overt signs of skeletal fluorosis or renal, hepatic or haematological effects were obsevred in workers exposed to 0.48 mg (total) fluoride /m3 for up to ten years.

Confounding factors:

Not relevant

Any other information on results incl. tables

The number of workers in each group and the levels of exposure are presented in the table below;

Group	Number exposed	Average total airbourne fluoride (mg/m^3)	Average gaseous fluoride (mg/m^3)	Average particulate fluoride (mg/m^3)
controls	880	0.053	0.015	0.038
potroom/high	570	0.48	0.20	0.28
potroom/medium	332	0.12	0.057	0.062
miscellaneous	284	0.46	0.054	0.41

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

No overt signs of skeletal fluorosis or renal, hepatic or haematological effects were observed in workers exposed up to 0.48 mg F/m3. (0.2 mg/m3 for gaseous F- and 0.28 mg/m3 for fluoride dust) for up to ten years.

Executive summary:

No overt signs of skeletal fluorosis were observed in workers exposed up to 0.48 mg F/m3. (0.2 mg/m3 for gaseous F- and 0.28 mg/m3 for fluoride dust) for up to ten years. Monitoring of the blood biochemistry parameters did not indicate any occurence of hepatic or renal effects. Changes in haemoglobin and haematocrit and calcium, although significant, were within the normal biological range. Serum calcium but not phosphate was increased in the highest exposure group. It was concluded that no overt signs of skeletal fluorosis or renal, hepatic or haematological effects were obsevred in workers exposed to 0.48 mg (total) fluoride /m3 for up to ten years.