Outcome analysis of drinking-water type endemic fluorosis in Jiangsu in 2012

Objective To know the state of endemic fluorosis, running state of water improvement project in Jiangsu Province, and to provide a scientific basis for adjusting control measures against the disease. Methods Nine key counties were selected from the endemic fluorosis areas as survey spots in Jiangsu in 2012. Three villages in each spot were selected as survey villages. To known the progress and running conditions of water facilities, water samples were collected to determine the fluorosis level. All children aged 8 to 12 were tested for dental fluorosis at the survey villages. The fluorine content in water was determined with F- selective electrode (WS/T 106-1999). Dental fluorosis was diagnosed byased on the Dean method. Results Twenty- seven villages were investigated, the number of villages that had water quality improved was 26, the rate was 96.30% (26/27); the number of villages that did not have water quality improved was 1, the rate was 3.70% (1/27). Among the 26 facilities, 21 improved-water facilities ran normally, the rate was 80.77% (21/26); 2 facilities ran with intermittently water supply, the rate was 8.70% (2/26); 3 facilities were scraped, the rate was 11.54% (3/26). In the villages with normal improved- water facilities and qualified water fluorosis, the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 22.74% (380/1 761), the index of dental fluorosis was 0.45. In the villages with abnormal improved- water facilities and excessive water fluorosis, the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 66.51% (143/215), the index of dental fluorosis was 1.45. The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 42.86% (12/28) in the villages which had not changed water source, the index of dental fluorosis was 0.86. Conclusion Improvement of water decreasing fluorine project in Jiangsu Province has a certain effect on children's dental fluorosis, but some of the water fluorosis projects are scrapped, and excess fluorine water should be taken seriously. Key words: Fluorosis, dental; Drinking; Endemic disease