A report on Fluoride distribution in drinking Water

High fluoride groundwater leads a health threat to millions of people around the world. This paper analyzes the most extensive database on fluoride and other chemical constituent distribution in arid tract of Ottapidaram block, Tamilnadu, India where it is the only source of drinking water. The study was conducted in the summer season (May – June, 2010). The water samples of 61 village panchayats were tested; 81.97% had injurious fluoride level above than 1.5 mg/L. The fluoride concentration in drinking waters varied from 0.936 to 4.34 mg/L in the study area. Due to the high concentration of fluoride, dental fluorosis was also identified. Majority of the samples do not comply with Indian as well as WHO standards for most of the water quality parameter. In addition, Fluoride concentration was not correlated with other physicochemical parameters significantly in ground water. Overall water quality was found as unsatisfactory for drinking purposes without any prior treatment except at eleven locations out of 61.