Fluoride, an anionic species is known to create havoc throughout the world by contaminating groundwater as well as surface water. Fluoride gets added into the water system via geological and anthropogenic activities. High levels of fluoride in drinking water is perhaps one of the most critical health hazards faced in this century. Adverse impact is inflicted upon human health through ailments such as skeletal/ dental fluorosis and phase damage to parathyroid, kidney, and liver. To prevent such harmful consequences, the World Health Organization (WHO) has fixed maximum permissible limit of fluoride in potable water to 1.5mg/L, which was subsequently lowered down by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India to 1mg/L.

 

Over 200 million people spanning over thirty nations across the planet are reported to have been affected by fluorosis. A grave risk lingers upon more than 66 million people in India due to fluoride contamination. Fluoride occurs in the environment through two sources; first being natural abundance in the earth’s crust, and second being the consequence of industrial activities like electroplating, steel, glass, aluminium and fertilizer industries. The discharge of wastes and effluent from industries into water bodies, especially carrying sodium fluoride causes groundwater and surface water contamination.

 

Effects from such contamination is severe, as excessive consumption of the same over a long time can lead to enhanced probabilities of occurrence of bone fractures, pain and tenderness. Dental or skeletal fluorosis is a chronic disease with affects spanning from mottling of teeth to neurological damage.

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Fluoride Affected Areas:

 

High fluoride contamination of groundwater is a matter of global concern, as over 200 million individuals are exposed to fluoride via drinking water. The situation is even more severe in developing nations like India, Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka and the Rift valley countries of Africa. In India, 1 million people are estimated to have been affected by fluorosis. Fluoride containing groundwater is a major problem in 17 states of the country, which includes Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In Assam, the districts of Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Golaghat, Morigaon, along with some portions of Guwahati city are affected by fluoride containing groundwater.