Fluoride in the form of hydrogen
fluoride is predominantly used for the manufacture of fluorocarbon
chemicals e.g. fluoropolymers. It is also used in glass
etching. Fluorides are used in aluminium production, as
catalysts for petroleum alkylation and in the production of
chemicals such as herbicides (for agriculture) and uranium
fluorides (for the nuclear industry).
The American committee (US ACGIH)
has revised its biological monitoring guidance value for fluoride
and proposes new, lower, guidance values of 2mg/L in urine samples
collected pre-shift and 3mg/L in samples collected
post-shift. The basis of these revised guidance values is to
prevent skeletal fluorosis.
Our data on post-shift urine
fluorides since 2010 shows that 20% of urine samples have levels
greater than 3 mg/L. The reduced American guidance values
suggest it may be useful to reassess exposure to fluoride.
Results in excess of the guidance values indicate that improvements
to control or changes to working practice should be considered.
Pre-shift urine levels reflect body
burden and are significantly affected by environmental exposure
(e.g. diet, tap water). Post-shift levels reflect exposure
during that shift. Because the pre- and post-shift guidance
values are close numerically, we suggest several pairs of samples
to evaluate occupational exposure.
If exposure is repeated daily, we
advise collecting pre-and post-shift samples on three consecutive
days. If exposure is intermittent, collecting pre-and
post-shift sample pairs on days where there is potential for
exposure is recommended.
In light of this, we are offering a
special package to allow a thorough evaluation of worker
exposure. A single analysis price covers three pairs of pre-
and post-shift urine samples (as described above) from an
individual worker. This offer is only available using our
online ordering system. Turnaround time is 20 working days
from receipt.
Government advice is
available on managing incident exposures to hydrofluoric acid
(HF):
Hydrogen fluoride: health effects, incident management and
toxicology
Emergency
treatment of hydrofluoric acid (HF) burns and injury prior to
transfer to hospital
Product Code: PE11684
Price: £79.00 (VAT free)