Exposure of Fluoride in Coal Basin

Abstract

Coal is a dirty fuel contaminated with F− and other elements. Several million tons of coal are burnt in Korba basin, central India to generate electricity with pouring fluorine and other elements into the environment. The water is contaminated with F− and other chemicals beyond the permissible limits. The contaminated water is consumed by the human and animals by excreting the balanced toxicants through the stool and urine. Several folds higher concentration of F− in urine (44 mg/L) and stool (266 mg/kg) samples of the cattle are observed. The prevalence of fluorosis diseases in cattle of the Korba basin is reported.