Abstract
High groundwater fluoride (F) is one of the major environmental hazards in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The prolonged exposure to F at maximum contaminant levels can give rise to lifelong debility and disability among its inhabitants. This study investigated the F contamination in groundwater resources in Sri Lanka above recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) and possibilities to mitigate the health risk. Groundwater samples (6107) were randomly collected from different geographic areas of the country, and categorised as hazardous, if it exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 4 mg/L (the level at which bone health is compromised). The minimum distances from a hazardous to a relatively safe F groundwater source (below 1.0 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L) were determined using geospatial analysis. Results: Only 2.3% (142) of the total sample was found to be hazardous to skeletal health. Optimal F sources were identified in close proximity to highly contaminated sources (>4.0 mg/L), some even within a walking distance of 500 metres. The identification and elimination of maximally contaminated sources, possibly by dilution with widely available low F sources in close proximity, would be a more feasible and cost effective approach to ensure long term public health benefits.
Highlights
High groundwater fluoride (F) is one of the major environmental hazards in the dry zone of Sri Lanka
The skeletal and crippling fluorosis occurs mostly in adults exposed to excessive levels of F in drinking water over the course of a lifetime, and it may even cause neurological complications [3]
The results indicated 63% (n=3847) and 80.5% (n=4916) of water samples had a F level less than 1.0 mg/L and less than 1.5 mg/L, respectively
Summary
High groundwater fluoride (F) is one of the major environmental hazards in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Long-term consumption of high F content groundwater can lead to adverse health effects. It is known globally as one of the most important toxicological environmental hazards [1]. The long-term exposure to high levels of F, that exceed the maximum contaminant levels (MCL), can cause lifelong debility and disability. The skeletal and crippling fluorosis occurs mostly in adults exposed to excessive levels of F in drinking water over the course of a lifetime, and it may even cause neurological complications [3]. It was reported in children, presenting as juvenile skeletal fluorosis, where prolonged exposure to higher concentration of F was evident [4]
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