Eli Kaj Roholm (October 7, 1902 - March 29, 1948) was a Danish scientist and researcher best known for his study of

fluorine Fluorine is a chemical element; it has Chemical symbol, symbol F and atomic number 9. It is the lightest halogen and exists at Standard temperature and pressure, standard conditions as pale yellow Diatomic molecule, diatomic gas. Fluorine is extre ...

and

fluoride toxicity Fluoride (). According to this source, is a possible pronunciation in British English. is an inorganic, monatomic anion of fluorine, with the chemical formula (also written ), whose salts are typically white or colorless. Fluoride salts typ ...

Biography

Eli Kaj Roholm was the son of Niels Christian Roholm, a Danish sea captain from

Odense Odense ( , , ) is the third largest city in Denmark (after Copenhagen and Aarhus) and the largest city on the island of Funen. As of 1 January 2025, the city proper had a population of 185,480 while Odense Municipality had a population of 210, ...

, and Hilda Vilhelmine Sabinsky, a

Polish Jew The history of the Jews in Poland dates back at least 1,000 years. For centuries, Poland was home to the largest and most significant Jews, Jewish community in the world. Poland was a principal center of Jewish culture, because of the long pe ...

ish immigrant. He nonetheless continued in his capacity as Deputy Health Commissioner of

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...

during the

Nazi occupation of Denmark The German invasion of Denmark (), was the German attack on Denmark on 9 April 1940, during the World War II, Second World War. The attack was a prelude to the Norwegian campaign, invasion of Norway (, 9 April – 10 June 1940). Denmark's stra ...

. Roholm and his wife Ida (''

née The birth name is the name of the person given upon their birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name or to the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a births registe ...

'' Høst) had three children.

Scientific work

Roholm conducted laboratory studies, interviewed

cryolite Cryolite ( Na3 Al F6, sodium hexafluoroaluminate) is a rare mineral identified with the once-large deposit at Ivittuut on the west coast of Greenland, mined commercially until 1987. It is used in the reduction ("smelting") of aluminium, in pest ...

workers, visited factories, and documented the progression of fluorine poisoning in humans and animals from gastrointestinal upsets,

neurological disorders Neurological disorders represent a complex array of medical conditions that fundamentally disrupt the functioning of the nervous system. These Disorder of consciousness, disorders affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerve networks, presenting unique ...

, and bleeding gums to the advanced cases of

skeletal fluorosis Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by excessive accumulation of fluoride leading to weakened bones. In advanced cases, skeletal fluorosis causes painful damage to bones and joints. Symptoms include the increased frequency of fractures and ...

and crippling

arthritis Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe a disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, Joint effusion, swelling, and decreased range of motion of ...

. Roholm published ''Fluorine Intoxication: A Clinical and Hygeienic Study'' in 1937, hailed by American dental researcher

H. Trendley Dean Henry Trendley Dean (August 25, 1893 – May 13, 1962) was the first director of the United States National Institute of Dental Research and a pioneer investigator of water fluoridation in the prevention of tooth decay. Early life Dean was ...

in 1938 for its thoroughness and as the "most outstanding contribution to the literature of fluorine." Roholm advocated for better worker protection and workers' compensation for chronic and acute fluoride poisoning, as well as for protection of neighboring countryside from the effects of fluoride pollution. He opposed adding fluoride to medicines, food or water.Roholm, Kaj. “Fluorine Intoxication: A Clinical and Hygienic Study, with review of the literature and some experimental investigation.” 1937.

References

External links

*Fluorine Intoxication by Kaj Rohol

1902 births 1948 deaths Danish scientists Danish environmentalists Workers' rights activists Danish people of Polish-Jewish descent 20th-century Danish Jews {{Denmark-scientist-stub

Biography

Scientific work

See also

References

External links