1Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, SKUAST-K
2PG scholars, F.V. Sc & A.H and GADVASU, Punjab
3Division of Animal Reproduction, CoVS, Odisha
4Department Veterinary Medicine, CoVS, Odisha
5Prof. & Head, Division of LPT, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, F.V. Sc and A.H, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar-190 006, Jammu & Kashmir, India
*E-mail: draijaz472@gmail.com
Online published on 23 March, 2017.
Fluoride (F) at lower concentrations helps in bone mineralization and prevention of dental caries but at higher levels causes fluorosis. In livestock, major fluorine intoxication occurs as a result of ingestion of fluorine contaminated pastures and drinking water (e.g., from deep wells/artesian bores) and excessive mineral supplements. The aim of this study was to estimate F level in waters of Kashmir valley and Ladakh division that could serve as a base-line data for future epidemiological studies. Water samples (n= 72) were collected from 24 sampling points in 2013. The average F concentration ranged from 0.03–0.46 mg/L (not the 0.5 mg/L that is essential for human dental health) indicating that it could be a reason for increased incidence of dental caries among the inhabitants of these regions.
Fluoride, health, Kashmir, Ladakh, water
