[Analysis of the chronic health hazards of occupational exposure to fluorine and its inorganic compounds].

Objective

To analyze the chronic effects of occupational exposure to fluorine and its inorganic compounds on workers' health, and to provide scientific basis for formulating health protection strategies.

Methods

In August 2024, the method of scope review was adopted, with "fluoride/inorganic fluoride" "worker" "human health/occupational health/chronic poisoning" as keywords. The databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Weipu network, China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from January 1, 2000 to August 13, 2024. The chronic health effects of occupational exposure to fluorine and its inorganic compounds on workers were analyzed.

Results

A total of 15 articles reaching the criteria were included. The research features included six major chronic health hazards of skeletal system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, reproductive system, immune system and respiratory system. Eight studies had shown that long-term exposure to fluorine and its inorganic compounds caused damage to the skeletal system, including increased bone mineral density, osteoporosis, and bone sclerosis. Seven studies reported the hazards of fluorine and its inorganic compounds exposure on the cardiovascular system of workers, and two studies found that fluorine and its inorganic compounds exposure could have adverse effects on the nervous system of workers. In addition, one study reported the possible effects of fluorine and its inorganic compounds exposure on the reproductive system, immune system and respiratory system of workers.

Conclusion

Long-term exposure to fluorine and its inorganic compounds is harmful to workers' health, mainly including the effects on skeletal system, cardiovascular system and nervous system.