Fluoride, Urine Test

This urine test checks for toxic levels of Fluoride exposure.

Fluoride poisoning through chronic exposure to fluoride and its inorganic compounds is generally associated with industrial occupations. The effects of fluoride overexposure are generally begin initially with mucous membrane irritation.

Increased intensity of exposure to fluoride may produce:

• Respiratory distress
• Neurological abnormalities
• Gastrointestinal pain
• Muscular fibrillation
• Prolonged exposure over years can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a crippling disease

Acute exposure is more commonly the result of the ingestion of fluorides and causes symptoms of:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tetanic contractions
• Coma
• Death

Fluoride and its inorganic compounds are widely employed in industry, including glass manufacturing and in the aluminum, steel, and fertilizer industries.

Fluoride compounds are also employed as insecticides, rodenticides, and delousing powders. In an organic state, fluoride is an essential mineral in man required for bone calcification processes. Overexposure is generally attributed to occupational causes, which are typically of a chronic nature. Acute exposure is more commonly the result of the ingestion of fluorides.