Usage of fluorine-proof furnace in areas with coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis in Guizhou province in 2009

Objective To investigate the usage of fluorine-proof iron stove in regions with coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis of Guizhou province and to provide scientific basis for the project management. Methods According to "the local prevention programs against coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis-Guizhou iron stove usage survey scheme", in the 18 counties implemented the project of improving the iron stove from 2005 to 2008, 2 townships were selected randomly in each county of each project annually, 2 villages were selected in each township randomly, and 10 households were checked in each village. The project households were investigated using questionnaire of the related health knowledge and awareness as well as the satisfaction of the households.Results ①The improvement rate of iron stove was 100.00%(1286/1286). ②The overall utilization rate of the improved stove was 94.09% (1210/1286), in which winter was 62.21% (800/1286) and annual was 31.88%(410/1286). ③Among the households that did not use the project stove, 46.05%(35/76) households was due to switch to other clean energy, in addition, 19.74%(15/76) was due to sell or send to other households, and 14.47%(11/76) was still used to use the open kitchen without the ventilating pipe, and still 13.16%(10/76) was due to high coal prices, and 6.58%(5/76) was due to that the improved stove can not meet the needs of life and no longer used. ④Amoag 1261 households investigated, households with damaged furnace was 24.58%(310/1261 ), and the parts damaged were mainly chimney (ventilating pipe) and the furnace core, accounting for 51.94%(161/310) and 29.03%(90/310), respectively. Repair rate of the damaged parts was 32.58%(101/310). ⑤The health knowledge rate was about 82.74% (1064/1286), and the satisfaction of the iron furnace was 88.65% (1140/1286).Conclusions The improved stoves for the prevention of endemic fluorosis in the diseased area meet the people's living habits, and meet their basic livelihood needs. Most project households are still using the improved furnace.But we still need to further strengthen the project management and the health education intervention, establish and improve stove maintenance network, and reach the goal of sustainable control of coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis. Key words: Fluoride poisoning; Coal; Environmental pollution; Data collection