Abstract
Introduction
High groundwater fluoride (F) is one of the major environmental hazards in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The prolonged exposure to F at maximum contaminant levels can give rise to lifelong debility and disability among its inhabitants.
Objective
This study investigated the F contamination in groundwater resources in Sri Lanka above recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) and possibilities to mitigate the health risk.
Methods
Groundwater samples (6107) were randomly collected from different geographic areas of the country, and categorised as hazardous, if it exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 4 mg/L (the level at which bone health is compromised). The minimum distances from a hazardous to a relatively safe F groundwater source (below 1.0 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L) were determined using geospatial analysis.
Results: Only 2.3% (142) of the total sample was found to be hazardous to skeletal health. Optimal F sources were identified in close proximity to highly contaminated sources (>4.0 mg/L), some even within a walking distance of 500 metres.
Conclusion
The identification and elimination of maximally contaminated sources, possibly by dilution with widely available low F sources in close proximity, would be a more feasible and cost effective approach to ensure long term public health benefits.
*Original abstract online at https://cmj.sljol.info/articles/abstract/10.4038/cmj.v63i4.8768/
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Dental fluorosis prevalence, severity and associated risk factors in pre-school aged children residing in fluoride deficient regions of Georgia.
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Effects of water improvement and defluoridation on fluorosis-endemic areas in China: A meta-analysis.
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Dental fluorosis in children in areas with fluoride-polluted air, high-fluoride water, and low-fluoride water as well as low-fluoride air: a study of deciduous and permanent teeth in the Shaanxi province, China.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess dental fluorosis (DF) in the deciduous and permanent teeth of children in areas with high-F coal (area A) and high-F water (area C) compared to children from area B, with low-F water and coal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 596 children were examined. DF
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Fluoride affects enamel protein content via TGF-B1-mediated KLK4 inhibition
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