Fluoride levels in indigenous animals and plants collected from uncontaminated ecosystems

Abstract

A total of 747 analyses were performed on 62 animal and plant species to determine fluoride parameters of uncontaminated ecosystems. Geographic fluoride variation was found to exist among deer mice populations living in natural environments, but the magnitude of this diversity is of minor importance in the evaluation of effects of industrial fluoride pollution. Specimens from small mammals collected in the vicinity of human habitational structures and animals maintained on standard commercial laboratory rations were demonstrated to have higher fluoride levels than individuals trapped in natural ecosystems and, therefore, do not represent baseline data. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that while the fluoride content of coniferous trees was statistically lower than the levels assayed in grasses, these forage values, 4-5 ppm, increased 20 to 50 fold in herbivores, as measured by femur fluoride concentration, and predators accumulated more fluoride than prey species. The observed complexity of fluoride distribution within ecosystemal components allowed only preliminary concepts of a natural fluoride cycling model to be discussed. 7 references, 6 tables.