A research by the Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS) has revealed that the content of ground water in most areas in the Hambantota District is not suitable for drinking purposes, IFS Research Officer Dr Meththika Vitanage said.

The research being conducted islandwide has only completed Hambantota District.

The content of ground water including fluoride level and hardness of water have been checked and mapped under this research, Dr Vitanage said.

“The results of the research in the Hambantota district reveal higher amount of fluoride and hardness of water that surpass the standard levels of drinking water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard, the fluoride level should be below than 1.5 milligrams per litre. But as a country with a high temperature, this amount should be even less than that, since people drink more water. This amount should be 0.8 milligrams per litre in a country like us.

But this amount is 8 milligrams per litre in Angunakolapalessa in Hambantota. Even in many other areas such as Tanamalvila, Lunugamvehera and Mirijjavila in the Hambantota District this amount exceeds 1.5 milligrams per litre” she said. Higher fluoride levels in water create health hazards and increase dental fluorosis and bone fluorosis.

Dr. Vitanage said she has witnessed the browning of teeth in children in the area. “A similar research was conducted by Prof C B Dissanayeka and Prof. Rohan Weerasooriya about 20 years ago in Sri Lanka. “There is a clear change between the data we have obtained and the recorded data of the previous research. she said.

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