Estimación de la exposición a elevados contenidos de fluoruro en agua potable en distintas comunidades de Guanajuato, México

Abstract

A study was carried out to estimate the level of fluoride exposure and the human health risk of developing dental and skeletical fluorosis in some of the villages in Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas (JR), state of Guanajuato, Mexico. The study included a fluoride concentration analysis of groundwater samples from 23 wells during the years 2010 to 2016, estimation of exposure to fluoride (EEF), and an epidemiological survey (ES) using Dean's Index (DI). Fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.51 to 324 mg/l. Twelve sampled wells exceeded the national guideline values for fluoride concentrations (NOM-127-SSA1-1994:1.5 mg/l). High F' concentrations are associated with ascending geothermal flow. According to EEF results (0.01-1.8 mg/kg/d), people from three small towns, from 16 to 50 years old, were at potential risk of dental fluorosis. This was confirmed by the results from the ES, with 23% of the people surveyed showing evidence of dental fluorosis, mostly young individuals. More than 50% of the people with evidence of dental fluorosis were between 16 to 50 years old. The ongoing consumption of fluoride-rich water is considered to be an important factor for developing dental fluorosis, and some of the people surveyed have lived at the study site for about 20 years.