Assessment of fluoride contamination in groundwater of Kundadam block, Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Water is a prime natural resource and essential for life on earth. Fluoride in drinking water has both positive and negative effects on human health. Small concentration of F−is essential for normal mineralization of bones and the formation of dental enamel [7]. However, the excess concentration F−in groundwater causes adverse impact on human health. A fluoride concentration of 1ppm (1mg/L) in potable water is essential for healthy teeth and bones. However, at higher concentrations (>1.5 ppm), it has adverse effects such as causing dental and skeletal fluorosis. Fluorosis is one of the major health risks faced by people in India. This may be due to consumption of more fluoride through drinking water. As same water is being used for irrigation purpose, fluoride can also enter into the food chain and finally reach human beings. In the present study, the water samples from 20 revenue villages of Kundadam block, Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu state were analyzed for fluoride content. Ground water samples were collected in 64 locations and analysed for various parameters including fluoride. Out of which 16 locations were found to contain more than permissible level (>1.5 mg/L) of fluoride in drinking water and 58 locations were contain minimum required quantity of fluoride in water to prevent dental caries and the remaining locations were not affected