Abstract

In certain countries, the Algerian South in particular, where the scarcity of drinking water resources of good quality has constrained the local populations to consume the underground waters that are rich in fluoride. Fluoride constitutes an essential component for the human body in moderate rates, between 0.5 to 1.5 mg/l of the consumed water. Nonetheless the population of the Southern Algeria is characterized by a very particular diet marked by tea and dates consumption that contain fluoride in an unidentified and accurate amount within the absence of a full knowledge of all fluoride sources.

The present study aims at evaluating the daily amount of fluoride taken and to determine its distribution in water and the main consumed food, as well as localizing the zones of risk and seeks at the end a short term solution to this matter.

This work focuses on the evaluation of the rate of fluoride contained in the diet. The dosage of fluoride of the two main water tables feeding the region of the study shows that the rates exceed by far the standards of the WHO. They are comprised in rates oscillating between 1.23 to 2.01 mg/l, as for the main food stuff, tea and dates are respectively (0.86 – 2.10 mg/l) and (10.48 – 18.24) mg/kg. Actually four methods of fluoride removal from water have been tested, as for the method using Aluminum sulfate and Lime, they provide good findings compared to the other methods.