Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 1
1. At this confsrence, sponsored by the Office of Scientific Research and Development, outstanding authorities in the field of " Flu s ride Xetnbolism" presented papers covering various phases of 2. The opening statement indicated that knowledre of fluorides was confined to the last ten to fifty years. The action of fluorine on soft tissues i s unknown but tests indicate fluorine is stored in the bones and teeth. It was stated that animal tests were of doubtful The conference was intended to bring together the best thought 3, Dr, Armstrong told or the testing methods reported in the literature and stated that reliable quantitative methods had mly been developed lately, 4. I)r. Benning described a qualitative glass etching test. *ox was slowly etched and sort glass more rapidly in concentrations o f *l t o 20 p.p.m. o f HF in air, 10 t o 20 p.p.m. were definitely irrita ting in ' breathing and 1 p.p.m. will detect ably etch glass in2 hours and 500 p.p.m. i n one minute. Etching is not a s-me zest of the presence of toxic concentrations. 5. Iiesults of tests in which 8. subject was given known amounts o f NaF and CaF end the total daily input and total daily excretion were graphically presented. The figures indicated a relationship between in6. X-ray pictures of the teeth of people exposed t o HF were compared to those in which no exposure occurred. present according t o %he speaker, of a greater density of' teeth and bone wher? IF exposure existed. pictures was raised and discussed. as a substitute for tne X-ray of the pelvis. Definite evidence was The question as to the value of these The X-ray ofthe mouth was suggested
Page 2
7. Some safety feet ure sinh mdl in r HF were given a F follows: Ce i linz s sholild be lofty. types) are suitable for emerpency or short exposures only, Supplied a lr types of res2ira tors are suitable for longer exposures. cloth in p includes neoprene suits and ruSDer gloves. Adequate ventilation should be provided. 8. The prevention a n d treatment o f HF burns was discussed. Ynpnesium oxide and Elyderine, zinc oxide, and zinc sulfate pastes were suzgested as bein ? useful for their pro z ect ive value. o f fIF may cause painful nui smc e burns. Thorou;h washing with water i s the common method o f treatment. nate treatment is to use S moni a to "soak out" or neutralize the HF. I n applying tne avnonifi treatment the skin slioulii be rubbed amy until a stinging is felt,then thor ou ply wash with water. It was s ug zest ed that the skin should not be the site of chemical re Rct ions and sone difference of opinion existed regard in ? tnis treatment. li newer treatment was described i n wnich 90 t o 95 Dercent ethyl alcohol mixed w5th crushed ice is placed on the skin surface. Tne use o f calcium gluconate affected area,relieve spain quickly. 9.A pa3er was presented re carding the incidence of dental caries in relation to the fluorine content of the drinking wzter. Tests are being planned in which fluorine 'is t o be introduced i n municipal water su2plies. The evidence seemed toinc ' icate tnax teeth are definitely improved when some fluorine is present. 10. '%e flu brine content of food ms the subject of another paper. Tea has the highest normal content. 11. 'fhe use of fluorine compounds applied directly to the external surface of cee that definite intervals is under test and results are 12. A maximum safe or permissible limits ho - d d be set but at the moment additional research is needed before a limit can be established. 13. Historical accounts o f experiences were cited with HF but, because of the lack of reliable test nethods, my figures gir en must lk. The meeting was semi-private but none of' the materials presented