Fluoride, aluminum, and phosphate kinetics in cryolite workers.

Exposure to cryolite (Na3AlF6) dust may result in skeletal fluorosis. Eight male workers at a cryolite concentrator participated in a 4-day study after 5 days of vacation. Dust exposures were 0.16 to 21.2 mg/m3. Urine was collected before work began and during two 4-hour periods. Preshift urine fluoride concentrations increased during the week. Fluoride concentrations in postshift urine and serum both correlated with the dust exposures. Serum fluoride concentrations decreased with a half-life of 3.3 to 6.9 hours after work. Fluoride clearance was 40.5 to 76.5 mL/min at urinary flow rates of 0.89 to 2.21 mL/min. Serum aluminum concentrations varied without relation to the exposure, but the urinary aluminum excretion correlated with the fluoride levels. Preshift serum-phosphate concentrations increased significantly during the week, possibly indicating changes in mineral metabolism. For monitoring of individual uptake of cryolite dust, serum fluoride measurements are most useful.