Skeletal fluorosis

Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by the excessive accumulation of fluoride in the body over a long period, leading to weakened, brittle bones and an increased frequency of fractures along with impaired joint mobility. Fluoride buildup causes bones to harden and thicken while losing elasticity, and can lead to ossification of ligaments and cartilage; affected people may also experience gastrointestinal upset and nausea, and damage to the parathyroid glands can raise blood calcium levels. Exposure comes from several sources, including inhalation of fluoride dust or fumes in occupational settings, drinking water with unsafe fluoride concentrations, particularly from deep wells, and, more rarely, volcanic eruptions that release fluoride-laden gases. It is coded M85.1 in the ICD-10 and is classified within rheumatology. The disease is most widespread in India and China, where naturally high fluoride levels in groundwater are common, and UNICEF has estimated that it affects millions of people across at least twenty-five countries.