Assessment of groundwater quality in Gaya region with respect to Fluoride

Fluoride (F) was estimated in the groundwater of six blocks (Bodh Gaya, Manpur, Wazirganj, Belaganj, Amas, and Bankebazaar) of Gaya District, Bihar and the impact on human health was studied. A total of 123 samples were collected from deep and shallow hand pumps situated in 31 different villages. The water samples were analyzed for different physio-chemical properties e.g. pH, total dissolved solids(TDS), conductivity, turbidity, total hardness(TH), calcium, magnesium, iron and fluoride. Fluoride level was measured by using fluoride ion selective electrode Orion 9609BNWP with PCD 650 cyber scan portable meter. The fluoride ranged from 0.24mg/L (Manpur) to 6.2 mg/L (Bankebazar). Bhoopnagar in Amas block, Dhaneta and Bhaktauri in Bankebazar block were found to have high Fluoride in groundwater. The pre monsoon F level was insignificantly different from post monsoon level (t= 1.75, NS). The F concentration was found to be positively correlated with the pH suggesting the geogenic contamination. The major health problems found in fluoride contaminated villages were dental fluorosis (children 87%, adults 69%) and skeletal fluorosis (adults 31%, children 59%). Residents of F endemic areas complained of Neurological Disorders (i.e Headache and Insomnia). The study shows that drinking water quality could be a major health threat for local residents of Gaya District.