The prevalence of fluorosis is mainly due to the consumption of fluoride through drinking water. A new study [1] undertaken in Tamil Nadu, India, aims to estimate fluoride exposure through drinking water of people from different age groups and to identify fluoride endemic areas through mapping. Fluoride exposure was assessed by estimating the fluoride level in drinking water using the fluoride ion selective electrode method. Google Earth and the isopleth technique were used to map fluoride endemic areas.

It emerged that the Nilakottai block of Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu is highly fluoride endemic. About 88% of the villages in the block have a higher fluoride level than the prescribed permissible limit in drinking water. Exposure to fluoride among different age groups was calculated in this block, which comprises 32 villages. The results showed that the people in Nilakottai block suffer a health risk due to fluorosis. They were advised to drink water with fluoride levels lower than 1 mg/l. Government authorities have been recommended to take serious steps to supply drinking water with low fluoride to the affected villages.

[1] Viswanathana, G. ... [et al.]. (2008). Mapping of fluoride endemic areas and assessment of fluoride exposure. Science of the total environment. Available online 28 Nov 2008. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.020

Contact: Gopalan Viswanathana, Srikrupa Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Velkatta, Kondapak (mdl), Siddiped (Rd), Medak - 502277, Andhra Pradesh, India, viswakind@gmail.com

Tags: south asia, water quality, water-related diseases