Effect of fluoride contaminated groundwater on human health in fluorosis endemic areas

Abstract

Background: Fluorosis is an endemic health problem in twenty-five nations around the globe. Objectives: To correlate fluoride content of groundwater and health status of affected population and suggest remedial measures. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design is followed because people from different age groups were sampled, observations were made and skeletal examinations were conducted at a specified point of time. The study is conducted in Yavatmal and Chandrapur districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra State. Health related surveys were carried out in 54 villages from study area selected on the basis of high fluoride level in groundwater. Result: Out of these, 32 villages are selected from Yavatmal district having a population of 30320 and 22 villages from Chandrapur district with a population of 21581. Out of the total population of 51901 total 3268 subjects have been examined. Amongst these subjects 1760 were male (53.86%) and 1508 were female (46.14%). Out of the total 3268 subjects 2445 subjects included in the ‘normal’ grade, which does not show indications of skeletal fluorosis. It has been observed that as the concentration of fluoride increases the cases of ‘normal’ grade decreases. Out of the 360 subjects studied, about 102 (28.33%) subjects show radiological evidences of skeletal fluorosis. Mild radiological fluorosis was seen in 55, moderate in 21, severe in 17 and very severe radiological fluorosis in 9 subjects. Conclusion: Based on the outcome of the research work carried out in the study area, it is recommended that awareness among the people residing in the area about the protection & prevention of groundwater contamination from different sources, groundwater quality, its impacts on health, soil and plants should be created on priority basis.