A case of nonfatal sodium fluoride ingestion

A nonfatal case of sodium fluoride ingestion is presented. The quantity of sodium fluoride ingested is unknown. Initial serum and urine samples were taken 24 h after ingestion and contained 3.4 and 21.3 mg/L fluoride, respectively. At that time the patient was essentially asymptomatic, but it is clear that he survived a plasma concentration greater than that usually considered lethal, 3 mg/L serum fluoride. The case illustrates the lack of correlation between plasma fluoride concentration and toxic effects and the importance of obtaining a history of fluoride ingestion.