氟是地理环境中的广布元素,它在地壳中的平均含量为270ppm。在生态环境中,氟是经常与人体接触,并不断参加体内新陈代谢和物质循环的微量元素。它既为人体所必需,稍过量又对人体产生危害。在地理环境中,其含量的区域分异十分明显:既有堆积富集区,又有淋溶缺氟区。地方性氟病就是由区域环境中所累积的高含量氟,通过饮水、食物或空气进入人体,破坏人体内氟钙磷的代谢平衡而引起的疾病。轻者出现氟斑牙、腰腿酸痛等症状;重者则骨骼畸形、骨折乃至瘫痪。本文仅据笔者近年调查和搜集的资料,就我国氟病区分布的若干地理规律和特点,作一初步探讨。

Endemic fluorosis is caused by excess fluorine of natural environment entering human body through food chain.This is one of the most extensive epidemic regional diseases in China. The distribution of this disease has obvious district characteristics.The area of this disease in China may be divided into three regional zones.(1)The ariplain in the north of China,it’s outstanding character is the dry climate which causes fluorine accumulation in Ouaternary deposits;thus,the drinking water with high content of fluorine forms the cause of this disease;(2)the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau with a very high content of fluorinein rocks and soils,thus,the crop food with high content of fluorine forms the cause of this disease;(3)the Southeast Hills,the hot springs with high content of fluorine lead to this disease. In general,the disease has certain particular physical geographical characteristies.The landforms in the disease district are of low-lying areas benefitting fluorine accumulation there.Saline-alkli soil is extensively found in the disease district,there are a lot of Soda,it benefits to increase chemical activity of fluorine. Plant types are halophiles and calciphile. The fluorine entering human body from environment is firstly through drinking water;secondly the fluorine in soil enters human body through crop food.The fluorine in air enters human body mainly through crop leaves.The prevention and cure of fluorosis depenp mainly on reforming the environmental natural accumulating fluorine,and breaking up the high fluorine food chain(mainly drinking water)entering human body.