Analysis of monitoring results of drinking water-based fluorosis in the 17 diseased areas in Jiangsu Province in 2015

Objective To master the condition of drinking water fluorosis in Jiangsu Province and the operation of improved-water project, and to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of drinking water fluorosis. Methods In 2015, 17 drinking water fluorosis counties were selected in Jiangsu Province, and 3 villages in each county were selected as monitoring sites, when the number of drinking water fluorosis villages was less than 3, all of the drinking water fluorosis villages were selected as monitoring sites. To know the progress and running conditions of the improved-water facilities, water samples were collected to determine the fluorosis level. All children aged 8- 12 years were monitored for dental fluorosis. Two monitoring counties were selected to monitor the X-ray changes and urinary fluoride of adults with skeletal fluorosis. Results A total of 47 villages were surveyed, 46 of which had water improved, and 1 had water unimproved. The rate of water improved was 97.87% (46/47). The number of improved-water facilities that were operating normally was 45, and the rate was 97.83% (45/46). The number of intermittent operation was 1. The number of improved-water facilities with qualified water fluoride was 42, and the rate was 91.30% (42/46). In the villages with normal improved-water facilities, and qualified water fluoride, the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 15.56% (600/3 855), and the dental fluorosis index was 0.29. In the villages with normal improved-water facilities, but unqualified water fluoride, the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 57.30% (267/466), and the dental fluorosis index was 1.21. The range of water fluoride in water unimproved villages was 1.2- 2.0 mg/L, and the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 40.91% (36/88), and the dental fluorosis index was 0.66. The detection rate of skeletal fluorosis in adults was 5.16% (16/310), the geometric mean of urinary fluoride was 0.67 mg/L, and the range of urinary fluoride was 0.02- 2.76 mg/L. Conclusions The improved-water projects in drinking-water fluorosis areas in Jiangsu Province have achieved a certain effect, but water fluoride is unqualified in some water projects. We should strengthen the maintenance and supervision of the water projects to ensure the normal operation of water projects. Key words: Water; Fluorine; Dental fluorosis; Skeletal fluorosis