Acute fluoride poisoning in a New Mexico elementary school

Hoffman, R.; Mann, J.; Calderone, J.; Trumbull, J.; Burkhart, M.

Pediatrics 65(5): 897-900

1980


ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005
PMID: 7367136
Document Number: 159215
In Los Lunas, New Mexico, 34 persons became ill with acute fluoride poisoning shortly after drinking water in an elementary school. The water supply of the school was supplemented with a concentrated sodium fluoride solution designed to raise fluoride content in drinking water to 1 to 5/106. Two water samples taken after the incident was reported showed increased fluoride contents of 375 and 93.5/106. Malfunction of a relay switch controlling dilution of the fluoride solution produced toxic fluoride contents in the water. The symptoms of all patients were mild and generally of short duration, with two-thirds of patients reporting complete resolution within 24 h. The bitter, salty taste of the water deterred consumption of large amounts and prevented serious intoxication.

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