ABSTRACT
Fluorine (F) and arsenic (As) volatilized during domestic coal burning in Zhaotong City, eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces have caused severe health problems (Oliver 1946; Sun 2002; Ye et al. 2004; Li et al. 2005; Luo et al. 2011). There are more than 2 million people with dental fluorosis and 0.6 M with combined fluorosis and arsenic poisonings. This represents 56% of the total population are suffering from F and As emitted from coal burning. The endemic-area is one of the poorest areas in China. Most of villagers in rural areas live on their own agricultural products with corn and chilli being their staple diet. It is always cold and rainy during harvesting in late Sept. to early Oct in the Karst mountainous region with high altitude of 2000-2500 m. Therefore, people have to dry the corn and chili by burning coal, make them rapid dehydration within 10-15 days to prevent fresh corn and chili from decay.
