Issues of health and disease relating to coal use in southwestern China

In Southwest China, 15 million people suffer from fluorosis, more than 3000 people have arsenism, and 477 people have endemic selenium intoxication due to use of high fluorine, arsenic, and selenium coal in unvented ovens. The highest fluorine, arsenic, and selenium in contents of these coals are 2000 μg/g, 35,000 μg/g, and more than 8000 μg/g, respectively. This paper describes the epidemic situation and the causes and pathways of endemic fluorosis, arsenism, and selenosis in Southwest China. The occurrence and distribution of high fluorine, high arsenic, and high selenium coals are briefly described.