High Levels Of Fluoride Research Articles

Assessment of groundwater quality and human health risks of nitrate and fluoride contamination in a rapidly urbanizing region of India

Groundwater contamination studies are important to understand the risks to public health. In this study, groundwater quality, major ion chemistry, sources of contaminants, and related health risks were evaluated for North-West Delhi, India, a region with a rapidly growing urban population. Groundwater samples collected from the study area were analysed for physicochemical parameters - pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, fluoride, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Investigation of hydrochemical facies revealed that bicarbonate was the dominant anion while magnesium was the dominant cation. Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis and Pearson correlation matrix indicated that major ion chemistry in the aquifer under study is primarily due to mineral dissolution, rock-water interactions and anthropogenic factors. Water quality index values showed that only 20% of the samples were acceptable for drinking. Due to high salinity, 54% of the samples were unfit for irrigation purposes. Nitrate and fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.24 to 380.19 mg/land 0.05 to 7.90mg/l, respectively due to fertilizer use, wastewater infiltration and geogenic processes. The health risks from high levels of nitrate and fluoride were calculated for males, females, and children. It was found that health risk from nitrate is more than fluoride in the study region. However, the spatial extent of risk from fluoride is more indicating that more people suffer from fluoride pollution in the study area. The total hazard index for children was found to be more than adults. Continuous monitoring of groundwater and application of remedial measures are recommended to improve the water quality and public health in the region.

Hydrochemistry of drinking water sources and water purifiers in relation to epidemiological study in Hisar, North‐West India

AbstractThe concern related to the drinking of reverse osmosis (RO) water containing low levels of minerals is growing day by day. This study involves the analysis of water samples from various drinking water sources in a rural site, Mirchpur village, an Indus Valley civilization site (grid location: 29° 18′ 42.3″ N, 76° 10′ 33.0″ E) of Hisar, India, along with the health survey of human subjects. The hydrochemistry of water collected from hand pumps, river canals, tube wells, submersibles, and the RO systems installed in various homes was explored for pH, EC, TH, TDS, turbidity, cations (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+), anions (CO32−, HCO3−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, F−), and elements (Fe, Pb, Se) employing the ion chromatography, flame photometry, and ICP‐AES techniques. Lead (Pb) and Selenium (Se) were detected in trace amounts (0.30–2.6 μg L−1; 0.10–4.1 μg L−1, respectively) in all the samples, including the samples collected from RO purifiers, but Iron (Fe) was not detected in RO samples even in trace amounts. The F‐levels in hand pump water (HPW) and submersible water (SW) (1.9 and 1.7 mg L−1, respectively) and TDS levels in SW (3048 mg L−1) were found to be above WHO and BIS safe limits. TDS levels in the river canal (900 mg L−1), tube well (1104 mg L−1), hand pump (1170 mg L−1), and submersible samples (3048 mg L−1) were found significantly higher as compared to the RO personal water (ROPW; 216 mg L−1) and RO supply water (ROSW; 90 mg L−1). The collected epidemiological data reveals that 21%, 19%, 13%, and 12% of natives reported skin, kidney, hair fall, liver, and stomach issues, respectively, suspecting the crucial role of high TDS and fluoride levels in the area. This study also provides a comparison between the quality of RO and the direct supply water, along with correlation matrices for different parameters, which gives a rationale for the limitations of drinking direct supply water without any purification and RO water containing low mineral content.

Estimated Dietary Fluoride Intake by 24-Month-Olds from Chocolate Bars, Cookies, Infant Cereals, and Chocolate Drinks in Brazil.

The use of fluoride (F) in the prevention of dental caries is established. However, a high amount of F intake during tooth development can cause dental fluorosis The aim of this study was to analyze variations in F concentrations in chocolate bars (CB), chocolate cookies (CC), infant cereals (IC), and chocolate milk drinks (CD) to determine the daily intake of F from different sources by children at the age of risk for developing dental fluorosis. Distinct brands of CB, CC, IC, and CD were analyzed. Fluoride was separated by hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion. Analysis was made in triplicate with an F ion-specific electrode. F ingestion (mg/kg body weight) was evaluated with the suggested consumption (0.05-0.07 mg/kg/day) for children aged 24 months (12 kg). The concentrations for all the analyzed products ranged from 0.025 to 1.827 µg/g F. The mean (range) F concentrations were CB= 0.210 ± 0.205 µg/g (0.073-0.698, n = 8), CC = 0.366 ± 0.416 µg/g (0.320-1.827, n = 9), IC = 0.422 ± 0.395 µg/g (0.073-1.061, n = 5), and CD = 0.169 ± 0.170 µg/mL (0.025-0.443, n = 12). The products that had the highest concentration in the categories CB, CC, IC, and CD, respectively, were Nescau-Ball (0.698 µg/g), Passatempo (1.827 µg/g), Milnutri (1.061 µg/g), and Toddynho (0.443 µg/mL). The consumption of only one unit of Toddynho (CD) is equivalent to more than 11% of the maximum suggested daily intake for a 24-month-old child (0.07 mg/kg body weight). When one product from each category is consumed together only once a day, this consumption is equivalent to approximately 24% of the suggested daily intake of fluoride for a 24-month-old child. The presence of high levels of fluoride in certain products suggests that they play a significant role in overall fluoride intake. It is crucial to closely monitor the fluoride content of food and drinks that are consumed by children who are at risk for dental fluorosis, and for product labels to clearly display the fluoride concentrations.

Fluoride Levels in Supply Water from the Canary Islands Region

The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, are an archipelago of volcanic origin which, for decades, has been affected by natural fluoride contamination in the water supply of some of its islands, mainly the island of Tenerife. In addition, recent volcanic eruptions in the archipelago and the increased demand for water supply have led to an increase in the fluoride content in other areas which, historically, were not affected. Fluoride content was determined in 274 water supply samples from the most populated islands of the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria) collected during the months of June 2021 to May 2022. The samples were analysed by fluoride ion selective potentiometry. The highest concentrations in Tenerife were found in the municipalities of Sauzal (7.00 mg/L) and Tegueste (5.39 mg/L), both water samples are over the parametric value of 1.5 mg/L set in the supply water legislation. In the Gran Canaria Island, the highest fluoride levels were found in Valsequillo and Mogán with 1.44 mg/L in both locations, but under the parametric fluoride value abovementioned. Consumption of just 1 L of water per day in the El Sauzal area would result in a contribution rate of 77% for adults and children over 15 years of age (Upper Level value of 7 mg/day) and 108% for children 9-14 years of age (UL value of 5 mg/day). The contribution rates increase considerably, reaching or exceeding 100% of the reference value (UL) with increasing consumption of 1 to 2 L of water per day. Therefore, it is considered that there is a health risk of overexposure to fluoride on the island of Tenerife. In the case of the island of Gran Canaria, it has been shown that even the consumption of 2 litres of water per day does not confer contribution rates that pose a health risk.

The influence of NQO2 on the dysfunctional autophagy and oxidative stress induced in the hippocampus of rats and in SH-SY5Y cells by fluoride.

For investigating the mechanism of brain injury caused by chronic fluorosis, this study was designed to determine whether NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) can influence autophagic disruption and oxidative stress induced in the central nervous system exposed to a high level of fluoride. Sprague-Dawley rats drank tap water containing different concentrations of fluoride for 3 or 6months. SH-SY5Y cells were either transfected with NQO2 RNA interference or treated with NQO2 inhibitor or activator and at the same time exposed to fluoride. The enrichment of gene signaling pathways related to autophagy was evaluated by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis; expressions of NQO2 and autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5), LC3-II and p62, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were quantified by Western-blotting or fluorescent staining; and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assayed biochemically and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected by flow cytometry. In the hippocampal CA3 region of rats exposed to high fluoride, the morphological characteristics of neurons were altered; the numbers of autophagosomes in the cytoplasm and the levels of NQO2 increased; the level of p-mTOR was decreased, and the levels of ATG5, LC3-II and p62 were elevated; and genes related to autophagy enriched. In vitro, in addition to similar changes in NQO2, p-mTOR, ATG5, LC3 II, and p62, exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to fluoride enhanced MDA and ROS contents and reduced SOD activity. Inhibition of NQO2 with RNAi or an inhibitor attenuated the disturbance of the autophagic flux and enhanced oxidative stress in these cells exposed to high fluoride. Our findings indicate that NQO2 may be involved in regulating autophagy and oxidative stress and thereby exerts an impact on brain injury caused by chronic fluorosis.

Fuzzy logic-based health risk assessment of fluoride in groundwater used as drinking source in Sira region, Tumkur, India.

Fluoride contamination in drinking water is a serious public health concern across the world, and more than 90 million people in India are affected by health risks associated with fluoride. Though the fatality due to fluoride chronic toxicity is uncommon, the exposure to fluoride at different concentration levels shows various adverse health effects such as dental and skeletal fluorosis, multiorgan failure, cognitive and behavioural effects. Hence, the objectives of the present study are to understand the hydrogeochemistry and drinking water suitability of groundwater of the Sira region, Karnataka, India, and to understand the occurrence of fluoride and its health risks using the United State Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) method and fuzzy logic concepts. Forty-six samples were collected from each pre and post-monsoon season. The hydrogeochemistry studied through Chadha's diagram and Gibb's diagram indicated that the groundwater in this region is of Na-Cl type and the hydrogeochemistry is majorly controlled by rock-water interaction and followed by evaporative dominance. Water quality parameters were compared with drinking water standards guidelines, and the results showed that around 50% of the samples were contaminated with fluoride. The occurrence of high levels of fluoride in the study region is associated to the presence of granitic rocks and it is influenced by high pH and low calcium dissolution in the groundwater. Based on US EPA method, the order ofpopulation group under the risk of dental and skeletal fluorosis, is children > adolescents > adults. A fuzzy inference system model is developed to assess the health risk due to fluoride and its output gives severity levels of each type of health risk, i.e. dental caries, dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. The results of the application of the fuzzy inference system model in the Sira region showed that the children (< 8Yr.) are more susceptible to the moderate risk of dental caries, dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. Whereas adolescents (8-18Yr.) and adults (> 18Yr.) are less susceptible to low-very low risk. Hence, health risks associated with fluoride can be better addressed with the help of a fuzzy inference system model which can be used for more reliable and grounded results to improve the quality of decision-making.

Prevalence of dental fluorosis and dental caries among people consuming water in urban Vadodara

Introduction: High fluoride concentration in groundwater can result in endemic fluorosis and is a major public health problem in India. Aim: To know the association between prevalence of dental fluorosis and dental caries and fluoride level in the water in urban Vadodara. Methodology: An analytical ecological cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 zones of Vadodara district. Thirty-eight water samples were sent to Gujarat Ecology Society in Vadodara for chemical analysis to test fluoride levels. The data collection was made by house-to-house visit twice during the study involving 2,609 participant interviews. These participants included 449 children belonging to the age group of &lt;15 years. Examination for dental fluorosis and dental caries using Dean's criteria was done. Chi-Square and Mental Hensel Chi-Square were applied for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 17.36% in high-fluoride areas and 22.46% in normal-fluoride areas among children (&lt;15 years of age). There was no statistically significant association in dental fluorosis between high-fluoride areas and normal-fluoride areas (P = 0.2533). The prevalence of dental caries was 29.26% in high-fluoride areas and 75.36% in normal-fluoride areas. There was a statistically significant association in dental caries between high-fluoride areas and normal-fluoride areas (P ≤ 0.0001). Conclusions: The risk of dental caries was clearly higher in the areas showing normal-fluoride content compared to places with high fluoride levels in drinking water. The risk of dental fluorosis was higher in area with high-fluoride level but the difference was not statistically significant.

Biochemical Analysis of Liver Function in Individuals Affected and Unaffected by Dental Fluorosis in Endemic Fluoride Rural Areas of YSR Kadapa District, AP, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Fluoride is known to affect the nervous system, kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal system, in addition to teeth and bones, when consumed in amounts exceeding 1 ppm per day over a prolonged period. YSR Kadapa district has been identified as one of the districts with endemic fluoride areas in Andhra Pradesh, India, by the Central Groundwater Board of India. Aim: To assess the toxic effects of fluoride on liver function in individuals affected and unaffected by dental fluorosis, who consume high levels of fluoride in water, in the endemic fluoride rural areas of YSR Kadapa district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six villages of YSR Kadapa district, where the drinking water has elevated fluoride content. A total of 320 subjects were selected as study participants. The subjects were divided into two groups based on age and dental fluorosis: Group A, aged between 21 and 40 years, and Group B, aged between 41 and 60 years. Subjects of each group were further sub-grouped according to presence or absence of fluorosis. The selected subjects were screened for dental fluorosis, and Groups A and B were further divided into subgroups based on the presence or absence of dental fluorosis. Blood samples were collected from the participants to assess liver function using serum levels of liver function markers such as total bilirubin (direct and indirect), Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Water and urine samples were also tested for fluoride levels using a fluoride ion meter. Statistical significance was determined using the t-test. Results: The mean fluoride levels in the water samples from the study areas ranged from 1.55±0.30 mg/L to 4.10±0.20 mg/L, and the urinary fluoride levels in the urine samples ranged from 0.54±0.46 mg/L to 2.13±0.845 mg/L. Among the study subjects, 60.6% (194) were affected by dental fluorosis, with 58.66% (88) belonging to Group A and 62.35% (106) belonging to Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in liver function markers in the serum between subjects with dental fluorosis and those without dental fluorosis in both groups (p&gt;0.05), and the levels were within the normal reference range. Conclusion: This study found no impaired or altered liver function in adults affected by dental fluorosis and adults unaffected by dental fluorosis who consumed water with high levels of fluoride in the YSR Kadapa district.

Overview on Mechanisms and Complications of Dental Bleaching

Abstract: The practice of bleaching teeth is very common, and various tools and methods have been developed specifically for this purpose. Whiten teeth, various approaches and products are available, each with a distinctive mode of operation. These include products used at home, such as toothpaste, gels, and films, and systems used in dental offices where products with highly concentrated bleaching agents are used under close supervision. Intrinsic and extrinsic staining are the two main types of tooth discolouration causes. Intrinsic staining, also known as internal staining, can be caused by a variety of things, including genetics, ageing, antibiotics, high fluoride levels, and developmental disorders. It can even begin before the tooth has fully emerged. The effectiveness of these various techniques depends on the specific tooth discolouration being treated. Dental bleaching procedures have emerged due to technical advancements to make the procedure easier to use and increase comfort, safety, and efficiency. External dental whitening is typically accomplished with hydrogen peroxide that has been photoactivated or not or carbamate. However, the teeth whitening process in the home and business leads to sensitivity. Certain risks associated with tooth whitenings, such as increased tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation, have been known to the public and professional communities. Recent research has identified other risks, including tooth surface softening and roughening, increased demineralization risk, dental restoration degradation, and unfavourable colour change. This article aims to review and synthesize the most recent research on tooth bleaching methods and side effects.

De-centering the urban waterscape via patterns, relations and traces of drinking water quality in Kaolack, Senegal

Scholars studying urban water governance have used the concept of the waterscape to describe how unequal urban environments are constructed in ways that are deeply connected to power, knowledge, materiality, and social relations. Yet in many cases, these works have tended to prioritise access to water and neglect the role of water quality in co-producing urban waterscapes. Therefore in this article I show, using grounded ethnographic description of the urban waterscape of Kaolack, Senegal, the potential to consider drinking water quality as an active participant in webs of relations that impact on the urban environment in multiple ways. This article is based on eight months of qualitative data collection in Kaolack, a medium-sized city where drinking water quality has long been viewed as problematic due to high levels of salt and fluoride. I use an everyday urban perspective to demonstrate how a range of actors understand and respond to quality, with impacts on the urban waterscape that I categorise as patterns, relations, and traces. Such an approach draws attention to varied scales and dimensions of water (in)security, from within households to beyond the boundaries of the city.

Microbially induced calcium precipitation coupled with medical stone-coated sponges: A targeted strategy for enhanced nitrate and fluoride removal from groundwater

The coexistence of nitrate and fluoride in groundwater is of high concern due to its potential environmental impacts and health risks. Medical stone-coated sponges, as a microbial activity promoter and slow-release calcium source, were introduced into an immobilized bioreactor for enhanced removal of nitrate and fluoride. Under the hydraulic retention time of 3 h, nitrate, fluoride, and calcium contents of 16.5, 3.0, and 100 mg L−1, the average removal efficiencies of nitrate, fluoride, and calcium reached 99.49%, 74.26%, and 70.43%, respectively. Co-precipitation and chemisorption were the mechanisms for fluoride and calcium removal. Medical stone load improved the competitiveness of dominant bacteria and electron transport activity, accelerated the denitrification process, and stimulated biofilm formation. High fluoride level (5.0 mg L−1) inhibited the nitrate removal and aromatic protein production. The fluoride content changes altered the carbon source preference of the microbial community, which preferred to use amino acids and carbohydrates under a higher fluoride content. The introduction of medical stones significantly accelerated the fluoride and nitrate removal, providing a new insight for the application of microbially induced calcium precipitation technique in the remediation of low-calcium groundwater.

Fluoride in water, health implications and plant-based remediation strategies

Abstract The high prevalence of dental fluorosis and bone mineralization deficiency as a result of exposure to fluorides has increased in Kenya over the years due to consumption of water with elevated levels of fluoride. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a guideline of 1.5 mg/L level of fluoride in drinking water. However, majority of studies carried out in Kenya over the last 40 plus years have indicated very high levels of fluoride in drinking water in various regions, with a prevalence in dental fluorosis observed in children and adults living in Rift valley and central regions due to basaltic and volcanic rocks. Unfortunately, this trend of fluoride-induced enamel changes has been observed in other regions such as Nairobi and Machakos which were originally presumed to contain low fluoride levels. This study sought to analyse the applicability of Maerua subcordata root powder (MSRP) in the removal of fluorides in borehole drinking water. Fresh Maerua subcordata roots were peeled to obtain the white flesh, chopped into small pieces, dried and ground into powder. The process parameters varied were; fluoride ion concentration [F−] (0–12 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0–200 g/L) and equilibration time (30–240 min) [F−] were hence analysed before and after treatment using ion selective electrode (ISE) fluoride meter. Results indicated that MSRP is a viable plant in fluoride treatment with approximately 68% fluoride ion removal efficiency. An MSRP dosage of 200 g/L was found optimal in [F−] reduction while a 2 mg/L [F−] concentration recorded the highest reduction of [F−]. The optimal equilibration time was found to be 30 min. The results can be used to develop a low-cost column for treatment of high fluoride waters in rural areas using MSRP. Borehole samples were treated with MSRP using the optimized conditions; however their reduction levels were lower than the [F−] standards used. It is envisaged that with further modification and/or doping with zero-valent iron nanoparticles, it’s efficiency will be improved.

Increasing The Efficiency of Bone Charcoal in Water Defluoridation Using Eggshell Powder and Dry Banana Peel Medium (DBPM)

The world health organization (WHO) has set an upper limit of 1.5 mg/l fluoride concentration in water meant for human consumption. Ground water has high fluoride level which exceeds the value recommended by the WHO. Defluoridation is the only viable way of dealing with the issue of high fluoride levels in water. The most common defluoridation method is the use of bone charcoal. This research shows how adding dry banana peel medium (DBPM) and egg shell powder to bone charcoal increases its defluoridation capacity as well as the water defluoridation rate. Raw water samples were collected from different boreholes and their initial fluoride concentration measured. The groundwater was then subjected to different adsorbent combinations of bone charcoal, eggshell powder and DBPM and the rate of fluoride removal as well as the final concentration of fluoride in the water after two hours, were determined. Eggshell powder and DBPM were found to increase the fluoride removal capacity of bone charcoal by more than 20%. The highest fluoride removal was achieved when bone charcoal was combined compositely with eggshell powder and DBPM. Hence the addition of eggshell powder and DBPM was found to increase the defluoridation rate as well as the fluoride removal capacity of bone charcoal.

Extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves attenuates neurotoxic damages in rats and SH-SY5Y cells exposed to a high level of fluoride

BackgroundPotential protection against the neurotoxic damages of high levels of fluoride on rats and SH-SY5Y cells by extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves, as well as underlying mechanisms, were examined. MethodsThe rats were divided randomly into 4 groups, i.e., control, treatment with the extract (100 mg/kg body weight, gavage once daily), treatment with fluoride (50 ppm F- in drinking water) and combined treatment with both; SH-SY5Y cells exposed to fluoride and fluoride in combination with the extract or 4-Amino-1,8-naphthalimide (4-ANI), an inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Spatial learning and memory in the rats were assessed employing Morris water maze test; the contents of fluoride in brains and urine by fluoride ion-selective electrode; cytotoxicity of fluoride was by CCK-8 kit; the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by appropriate kits; the level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was by ELISA; the content of ROS and frequency of apoptosis by flow cytometry; the expressions of phospho-histone H2A.X(Ser139), PARP-1, poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) by Western blotting or immunofluorescence. ResultsThe rats with prolong treatment of fluoride exhibited dental fluorosis, the increased contents of fluoride in brains and urine and the declined ability of learning and memory. In the hippocampus of the rats and SH-SY5Y cells exposed to fluoride, the levels of ROS, MDA, apoptosis, 8-OHdG and the protein expressions of histone H2A.X(Ser139), PARP-1 and PAR were all elevated; the activities of SOD and GSH-Px and the protein expression of SIRT1 reduced. Interestingly, the treatment of Ginkgo biloba extract attenuated these neurotoxic effects on rats and SH-SY5Y cells exposed to fluoride and the treatment of 4-ANI produced a neuroprotective effect against fluoride exposure. ConclusionGinkgo biloba extract attenuated neurotoxic damages induced by fluoride exposure to rats and SH-SY5Y cells and the underlying mechanism might involve the inhibition of PARP-1 and the promotion of SIRT1.

FLUORIDE AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH IN INDIA: DISTRICT LEVEL ANALYSIS

Quality issues in water such as presence of high levels of arsenic, nitrates, iron, salinity and fluoride has been witnessed in various parts in India. Presence of fluoride at alarming levels has led to severe threat to human survival. Prolong consumption of contaminated water with an unsafe fluoride level can lead to many diseases. Therefore, using the exogenous variation in fluoride across districts, we try to assess the impact of fluoride contaminated water on health outcomes particularly for children; dental and skeletal diseases. Usingnationally representative dataset for India, greater exposure to fluoride contamination is associated with adverse health outcomes amongst school going children. Our findings suggest that an additional increase in fluoride contamination leads to higher risk of dental (odds ratio-1.196) and skeletal diseases (odds ratio-1.206). Moreover, the intensity and incidence of such diseases (dental-1.398 and skeletal diseases-1.494) has increased drastically over time. Our estimates are also robust to district and time fixed effects. Our findings also suggestchildren who belong to the age group of 7-14 years of age experience such adverse health outcomes relatively more than those who belongs to 0-6 years of age, owing to visibility of fluoride related symptoms at later stages in life. Uniformity of our results holds even after using an alternative measure of estimation, Propensity Score Matching.

Evaluation of Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water of Some Cities within Anbar Province, Iraq

A fluoride atom (F) has a negatively-charged ion called a fluoride ion. The element fluoride can also be found in a compound called fluoride. Many countries with high rates of dental fluorosis naturally contain high levels of fluoride in their minerals and water supplies. The fluoride ion concentrations were determined by collecting drinking water samples twice a month from (July/2020 - to June/2021) from 4 main cities in Anbar Province in Iraq, during the rainy and dry seasons. The fluoride concentrations were then analyzed and compared with standard guides of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective of this study is to evaluate the fluoride concentrations in Ramadi, Fallujah, Khalidiyah, and Heet cities. The results showed small variations ranging from (0.041 mg/l) to (0.051 mg/l) when these results are compared with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standard limitations. the recommended standard limitations of (EPA) and (WHO) for fluoride concentration range from (0.4 - to 1.5) mg/l, therefore the drinking water of these cities is comfortable to drink, but it may cause some problems, such as dental caries, dental fluorosis, colorless teeth yellowish, and blackish teeth. The results are also less than the typical concentration limitations, which, is (0.7 mg/l). To avoid the danger of poisoning, adding fluoride to water is not recommended unless it has been recommended by a professional in the food system or a dentist. However, humans can also get fluoride from sources other than water, and the quantity of fluoride they consume is different from one person to another.

Intrauterine and Postnatal Exposure to High Levels of Fluoride Is Associated with Motor Impairments, Oxidative Stress, and Morphological Damage in the Cerebellum of Offspring Rats.

Fluoride (F) is abundantly present on Earth and plays a beneficial role in human health. However, exposure to high doses of F can be a risk, mainly in endemic fluorosis regions. In light of this, we investigated the effects of F exposure during the intrauterine and postnatal periods of rats, in doses similar to those recommended in drinking water and the levels of F in regions with endemic fluorosis, on the offspring rats’ cerebellum. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups: control (received ultrapure water only), 10 mg F/L, and 50 mg F/L for a period of 42 days (21 days gestation and 21 days lactation). At the end of the lactation period, the male pups were evaluated by behavioral tests, morphological markers, and biochemistry assays. The results pointed out that 50 mg F/L exposure during the intrauterine and lactational period of rats is capable of promoting oxidative stress in the cerebellum with a decrease in Purkinje cell density and myelin basic protein compromise, which could be associated with functional motor impairments. In addition, although 10 mg F/L exposure promoted redox alterations, it did not affect other parameters evaluated, highlighting the safe use of F in low doses.

Hydrochemical appraisal of fluoride contamination in groundwater and human health risk assessment at Isa Khel, Punjab, Pakistan

Fluoride contamination in the groundwater of Pakistan is widespread with serious potential health consequences. We determine the groundwater of Isa Khel Tehsil upper Indus plain for drinking purposes and fluoride contamination by collecting 236 water samples from the water supply schemes supplied with groundwater. Results show that the majority of the parameters exceed the standard concentration of potable water. The concentration of fluoride ranges from 0.02 to 5.35 mg/L with an average of 1.8 mg/L, and about 58.5% of the collected samples have higher fluoride concentration than the allowed limit for drinking purposes. Fluoride pollution index results show that about 48.73% of samples have a high level of risk, 41.95% samples of the study area have medium level and only 9.32% of the water samples show low level of fluoride contamination. The health risk assessment due to fluoride contamination was computed based on chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ). For adult’s variation in CDI and HQ ranges from 0.001–0.15 mg/kg/day and 0.001–2.55 respectively whereas in children it ranges from 0.001–0.29 mg/kg/day and 0.02–4.84. Health risk assessment parameters indicate that in the case of adults, about 40.25% of samples exceeded the maximum allowed value of hazard quotient i.e., HQ > 1, while for children, about 66.95% of samples have HQ > 1, which means that children are at higher risk than adults because of higher vulnerability to fluoride contamination in drinking water. Thus, there is a need for effective groundwater monitoring and management in the study region to safeguard residents from various illnesses associated with drinking water with varying fluoride concentrations. • Worldwide in groundwater, fluoride contamination is becoming a challenge. • Higher fluoride level in drinking water cases dental and skeletal fluorosis at alarming rate. • Evaluation of two hundred and thirty-six water samples indicate more than 50 percent samples not fit for drinking.

Insights to promote safe drinking water behavioural changes in zones affected by fluorosis in the East-African Rift Valley

The presence of fluoride in drinking water can have beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of dental caries when its concentration lies in the optimal range of 0.5–0.7 mg/L. However, fluoride intake below and above this range can have negative effects on tooth enamel and skeletal fluorosis in case of prolonged exposure to high concentrations. Unfortunately, in some areas of the world, such as rural communities of the East-African Rift Valley (EARV), water is dramatically contaminated by fluoride which may cause dental and skeletal fluorosis because its concentration is often well above the maximum threshold of 1.5 mg/L recommended by the World Health Organisation.To tackle this problem experts and policy makers have attempted to introduce defluoridation techniques that, as well as being cost-effective, allow end users to drastically reduce the level of fluoride below the above-mentioned threshold. However, the adoption of these techniques remains quite low because behavioural factors influencing people's safer water consumption in these areas of the world is poorly understood. To fill such a gap in this study we explore how these factors can influence the adoption of a new defluoridator in Kenyan and Tanzanian rural communities of the EARV. To achieve this objective 75 people belonging to Maasai and Meru ethnic groups were interviewed running nine focus groups where these factors were investigated using the RANAS (Risk, Attitude, Norm, Ability, Self-Regulation) model.Results show that the drinking behaviour of people living in the EARV is dramatically affected by contextual factors and exacerbated by the high level of fluoride naturally contained in drinking and cooking water. Behavioural insights into how policy makers and marketers could reverse this unhealthy drinking behaviour introducing technological devices that can cut the quantity of fluoride contained naturally are discussed arguing in favour of the possibility of using different behaviour changing techniques.

Defluoridation of water by the Homa* method, a co-precipitation technique using wood ash leachate and alum

High fluoride level in drinking water is an endemic public health concern in East Africa. Unlike in Kenya where it is absent, the Nalgonda technique, a defluoridation method that uses two chemicals, alum, and CaO, has seen mixed results in its application and adoption in Ethiopia and Tanzania. This has been due to the low capacity of communities to manage the process and the breakdown in the supply chain of chemicals used in the technique. In the present study, we attempted to bridge the gap in the chemical deficit by investigating the possible substitution of CaO with leachate from wood ash, a by-product of wood combustion commonly found in Kenya. The leachate was prepared from one part of wood ash mixed with two parts of distilled water and stirred for 24 hours followed by decantation. The new technique, the Homa method, using alum and wood ash leachate was then tested on H2O samples from three areas in Kenya with high F- concentrations ranging from 5.1 mg L-1, 9.1 mg L-1 to 91.0 mg L-1. The determination of F- concentration by SPADNS Spectrophotometry was applied throughout the experiment. Four levels of alum i.e. 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% were dosed on five volumes of water i.e. 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ml raw water at 5.1 and 9.1 mg L-1 F-. For water samples at 91.0 mg L-1 F-, the same volumes were treated with 5 higher alum levels i.e. 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, and 9%. The final pH was then adjusted to 7 with ash leachate for defluoridation. The set-up was a factorial design experiment where the final F- concentration was the dependent variable and the volume of raw water, the percentages, and volume of alum and wood ash leachate constituted the different factors. A fitted multivariate regression model of the general form; where Y = Residual fluoride, X = wood Leachate volume, W = alum Concentration, X*W = Interaction α, β, γ were regression coefficients, ε = error term, showed that only in the Baringo area did we have an interaction between wood ash leachate and alum concentration significant (p &lt; 0.05). Defluoridation occurred (p &lt; 0.05) at as low as 10% and as high as 99%, depending on the initial F- content. Total coliform decreased from 310, 290 and 270 count/l respectively to zero. Unfortunately, high chemical and TDS (from 558 mg L-1 to more than 9,000 mg L-1) enrichment were recorded in addition to the mixed data on turbidity. The overall results show that wood ash can substitute CaO in the Nalgonda process. Further investigation is however required to make it applicable for potable water production.