Fluoride Contamination in Drinking Water in Palacode Region, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Occurrence of fluoride in groundwater has drawn worldwide attention due to its considerable impact on human physiology. Fluoride is an essential element, which is good for the teeth enamel and helps to prevent dental caries. In excessive doses, however, it leads to chronic fluoride poisoning or fluorosis. Fluoride contamination of groundwater is a growing problem in many parts of the world. In India, a population of more than 66 million, especially in rural parts are dependants on groundwater for drinking purposes and have a potential risk of developing fluorosis. In the present study a high fluoride concentration in ground water is identified in Palacode region of Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu, where it is the only source of drinking water. The other water parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, nitrate, and Fluoride were also measured. The results indicated considerable variations among the analyzed samples with respect to their chemical composition. Total hardness and nitrate concentration are found higher than permissible limit at various locations. Fluoride is also higher concentration in number of locations. The fluoride concentration in the groundwater of these villages varied from 1.4 to 2.4 mg/l, causing dental fluorosis and teeth matting among people in general and children in particular. The geology and over extraction of groundwater sources increases the level of fluoride in groundwater. Overall quality is found unsatisfactory for drinking purposes without any prior treatment except in few villages. Also this study by way of capturing reasons for fluorosis and its implications, attempts to avert the disdained anomaly called fluorosis.