Population Risk Estimation From Fluoride Exposure Through Drinking Water in Puruliya District, West Bengal (India)

Abstract

The menace of fluorosis is quite anticipatable for the people of the Puruliya district because of the excessive fluoride level in the groundwater. More than 80% of the population is rural, and 85% depend on groundwater as their single means of drinking water. Therefore, the current paper aims to determine the block-wise distribution of villages and populations based on the fluoride level of groundwater and associated health risk in the Puruliya district. The study is based on the report on village-level fluoride concentration from the National Rural Drinking Water Mission Survey. Blocks of Puruliya District are categorized according to the World Health Organization's classes of different fluoride concentrations and related health impacts. For each category, the population is calculated based on the census of India 2011 data. The mapping of the severity of fluoride-exposed villages and populations is prepared using Arc. GIS 10.5. Our study found that 35.39% of the population is in danger of getting fluorosis through ingesting fluoride-rich water. Applying a geospatial approach to study the fluoride distribution is very significant in identifying the endemic fluoride region and safe areas for the entire district, which will help to take proper management remedies regarding prevention and control of fluorosis in the concerned district.