Study on clinical possible fluorosis in sheep population of Arak aluminum factory vicinity

To determination chronic fluorosis in sheep, vicinity of Arak Aluminum factory, 100 sheep from two age group (under 2 years old and over 2 years old) from 0-10 kilometer from Arak aluminum industry (80 sheep) and 2 control group from 30 and 300 kilometers (20 Sheep) from Arak aluminum factory selected and plasma samples were collected. Plasma samples were gathered at four seasons and sheep feedstuffs (pasture and harvested forages) and water samples from different sources were analysis to measuring flour levels. Plasma and feedstuffs samples were analyzed for flour levels by ion selective electrode (ISE) and water samples were analyzed by ion chromatography (IC). Mean of plasma flour levels in sheep with dental lesions were 3.15±1.98 ppm and significantly higher than both control groups (0.39±0.13 ppm) (P=0.001). Two age groups were not shown remarkably difference in plasma flour levels (P=0.49). Various distances from factory had significant difference (P=0.001) in flour plasma levels and sheep within 0-10 km had higher plasma levels (3.15±1.98 ppm). In four seasons of year, sheep at fall (6.39±0.35 ppm) had higher flour levels than other season (P=0.001). In various water sources (Aqueduct, creek, fountain and pipe water) for sheep, creek (0.89± 0.31 ppm) had higher flour level than others (P=0.001). Feedstuffs analysis were shown pasture forages (79.15±50.38 ppm) had very higher flour levels than harvested forages (9.44±4.14 ppm) (P=0.001). Based on these study findings, chronic fluoride toxicity had occurred around (10 km) Arak aluminum industry in sheep herds and contaminated pasture had major role in occurrence of fluorosis in sheep. Further studies recommend to determining more risk factors of fluoride toxicity in this area.