Search

Contamination of public water systems may cause outbreaks of acute fluoride poisoning. Acute fluoride poisoning is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Among 162 residents of an Alaskan village that had an outbreak of acute fluoride poisoning in May 1992, 47 drank from a contaminated well between May 21st and 23rd, 21 drank from the same well on other days and 94 were served by another well (control group). The incidence of acute fluoride poisoning was significantly higher among the residents who drank from the contaminated well between May 21st and 23rd. Water samples from the contaminated well contained 150 milligrams (mg) of fluoride per liter, compared with 1 mg of fluoride per liter for samples from the other water system. Public water systems should be monitored closely to prevent outbreaks of acute fluoride poisoning.

Researchers confirm that fungi are present in municipal water systems. Most of the fungi in the Springfield, Missouri water supply were present as spores, but more research is needed to determine if these spores can germinate in the water system.