PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIALY-INDUCED CATTLE AND SHEEP FLUOROSIS

G Milhaud and H J Van Weering
Maisons-Alfort, France

Abstract from Recueil de Médecine Vétérinaire 173 (1,2,3) 53-58 1997

Two industrial plants emitting fluorides, were built in an industrial area at Vlissingen, The Netherlands; one produced phosphorus from natural phosphates and the other produced aluminium through electrolysis. Control systems were installed to reduce emissions. An agreement was made between the farmers, manufacturers and provincial authorities of Zealand to examine possible claims and develop measures for prevention. A 2 to 3 km area around the plants, was designated unsuitable for agriculture and cattle-rearing. Beyond that area, contamination of pasture was measured every 15 days. About thirty, differently contaminated herds were visited at regular intervals to evaluate fluoride intake and to initiate prevention by distribution of rations containing 6 per cent aluminium sulfate to reduce fluoride bioavailability and replacing contaminated feed with fluoride-free feed. Pasture contamination was much higher in winter than in spring and summer; at the highest contaminated site, the average for autumn-winter was up to 100 ppm in the peziod 1970-1980, whereas it generally remained below 50 ppm in spring and summer. The levels recently decreased to half those values. Prevention of fluorosis has proven entirely successful; no damage compensation has been granted since 1985.

Key-words: Cattle; Damage compensation; Fluorosis; Industrial emission; Prevention; Sheep.

Reprints: Prof G Milhaud, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France.

FLUORIDE 31(1)  1998, p 52	International Society for Fluoride Research
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