Advances in Dental Research, Vol 8, 87-91, Copyright © 1994 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Determination of fluorine in biological materials: reaction paper
R. Ophaug
University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry, Minneapolis 55455.
Although the fluorine in human tissues may exist in both inorganic and
organic (covalently bound) forms, the inorganic fraction is clearly the
most relevant for assessing human exposure to, and utilization of,
environmental fluoride. There is now general agreement that the inorganic
fraction of total tissue fluorine can be accurately determined by a variety
of analytical techniques. One of the basic questions considered at this
workshop is whether the analysis of a specific tissue or body fluid can
provide an estimate of how much of the fluoride to which an individual is
exposed actually enters and accumulates in the body. The analysis of hair
and nails has been used as an indicator of exposure and utilization for
several trace elements, including fluoride. Due to methodological
uncertainties regarding sampling and pre-analysis treatment, however, it is
presently not possible clearly to distinguish fluoride which is
incorporated into hair and nails during formation (endogenous) from that
which becomes associated with the tissues following exposure to the
environment (exogenous). Consequently, although the fluoride content of
hair and nails is clearly increased by environmental exposure to fluoride,
the conclusion that these tissues are suitable indicators of fluoride
utilization and accumulation in the body is premature.
