Analysis of testing and acceptance results in controlling and eliminating coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in Hubei Province

Objective To investigate and analyze the examination and acceptance results for coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis control and elimination in Hubei Province. Methods A county-level self-inspection and a provincial-level spot-check were conducted to investigate the status of improved-stove usage, the situation of correctly drying corn and chili, and the dental fluorosis prevalence among children aged 8 to 12 in 501 historic coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis villages of 6 counties (cities) in Hubei Province from 2012 to 2014. The endemic areas were selected according to the "Control Standards of Endemic Fluorosis in Endemic Areas" (GB 17017-2010) and "Eliminating Standards of Coal-burning Type Endemic Fluorosis". Results The results of county-level inspection showed that the qualified rates of improved stoves, the correct-usage rates of qualified stoves, and the correctly drying rates of corn and chili were all higher than 98% in targeted villages, and the prevalence rate of dental fluorosis of children was 7.73% (2 319/30 003). The results of provincial-level recheck were more than 99% and 8.25% (353/4 277), respectively. The results of county-level inspection were of good consistency with those of provincial-level recheck (88.89%, 48/54). Five counties (cities) but one had met the standard of fluorosis control or elimination. Conclusion Coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis scope in Hubei Province is narrowed greatly and the prevalence rates are decreased significantly. Key words: Fluorine; Coal; Environmental pollution; Outcome assessment