Human Fluorosis Related To Volcanic Activity:
A Review
Author(s)
W. D’Alessandro
Abstract
Fluorosis is a widespread disease related to ingestion of high levels of fluorine
through water and food. Although sometimes of anthropogenic origin, high
levels of fluorine are generally related to natural sources. One of the main
sources is represented by volcanic activity, which releases magmatic fluorine
generally as hydrogen fluorine through volcanic degassing. For example,
Mt. Etna in Italy is considered the greatest point source at the global scale,
releasing on average 70 Gg of HF each year. But the impact of fluorine on
human health is highly dependent on its chemical state, which means that high
rates of release do not necessarily point to high impacts. The major pathway of
magmatic fluorine to humans is in the form of fluoride ion (F - ), through
consumption of contaminated vegetables and drinking water. Contamination can
happen either through direct uptake of gaseous HF or through rainwaters and
volcanic ashes. Furthermore hydrogen fluoride, being one of the most soluble
gases in magmas, exsolves only partially (< 20%) during volcanic activity.
Volcanic rocks thus contain high levels of fluorine, which are transferred to
groundwaters through water-rock interaction processes in the aquifers. Large
magmatic provinces, like for example the East African Rift Valley, are therefore
endemic for fluorosis. Finally a literature review of volcanic related fluorosis is
given.
Keywords: fluorosis, magmatic fluorine, volcanic activity, groundwater.
1 Introduction
The influence of the geological environment on human health has long been
known with the first links being recognized probably by Chinese physicians in
Keywords
fluorosis, magmatic fluorine, volcanic activity, groundwater.
Related Book
Other papers in this volume
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