Fluoride Contents of Community Drinking Water: Biological and Public Health Implications

Abstract

Drinking water supplies in Omoku, Nigeria was analyzed for its fluoride content investigated. For the analysis, twenty-four different water samples were systematically collected from stream, well water, public tap and private borehole in defined locations in Omoku. Level of fluoride was determined using standard method-Ion-Selective Electrode method. The mean values obtained were compared directly with the limit recommended by the World Health organization (WHO) of 1.0mg/L. Private borehole and public tap water had overall mean fluoride levels of 0.94±0.07 mg/L and 0.86±0.30 mg/L respectively, while stream had 0.95±0.09 mg/L and well water had the lowest level of fluoride (0.48±0.03 mg/L). Fluoride content of private borehole, public tap water and stream were approximately within the specified minimum limit of World health organization, while that of well water was below stipulated limit. ANOVA statistics indicated that there was no significant difference in the mean Fluoride levels of the water samples (p>0.05). Low levels of fluoride are associated with dental caries and hence such water should be fluoridated. Biological implications of low and high fluoride levels of water are highlighted in order to create awareness on the need to protect the general public from either dental caries or fluorosis of the teeth and/or skeleton respectively.