Article Courtesy : Dr. V. Sunitha
Fluorosis is an endemic disease prevalent in 17 states in India
- 70 - 100% districts are affected in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan
- 40 - 70% districts are affected in Bihar, National Capital Territory of Delhi Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
- 10 - 40% districts are affected in Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Chattisgarh and West Bengal. While the endemicity for the rest of the states is not known.
- The Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh State, India, is a typical region showing endemic fluorosis caused by drinking water.
- Groundwater (well, hand pump and tube well) is the main source of drinking water for village residents.
- Geological formation is found to be a basic cause for the higher concentration of fluoride in most of the sampling points.
- The present study concludes that alkaline environment is the dominant controlling factor for leaching of fluoride from the source material in the groundwater.
- Several reports on dental and skeletal manifestations of fluorosis are also reported in the study area.
The worst fluoride affected villages in Anantapur district are
Ralla Anantapuram, Gunjepalli, Muktapuram, Nallamada, Toletivaripalli, Yerravankapalli, Kothapalli, Pathabathalapalli, Yerikireddipalli, Alampur, Malakavemula.
Observations in the Study Area
· Dental fluorosis – 0.8-3.5 mg/l of fluoride
· Incidence of physical disability – 5.0 mg/l and above
Impact of Fluoride on Human Health
Dental Fluorosis
Fluoride content in water between 1.5 and 2.0 mg/l may lead to dental mottling, which is characterized initially by opaque white patches on the teeth and in advanced stages leads to dental fluorosis.
Skeletal Fluorosis
Fluoride concentrations in drinking water exceed 4-8 mg/l. The symptoms include mild rheumatic/arthritic pain in joints and muscles to severe pain in the cervical spine region along with stiffness and rigidity of the joints.
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