Fluoride in India: A Complicated Problem

One of the more interesting things that I have learned in my classes so far this semester is about the field of medical geology. While climate and environmental hazards are what most consider when discussing the livable environment of an area, the geosphere plays a large part in the lives of many in rural India who lead lives in close contact with their natural surroundings. One of the reasons that the effect on those in India is so strong is that the majority of the population gets their water and irrigates their crops with groundwater sources which is what becomes contaminated (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010). The limited access to health care and low level of awareness of toxic chemicals in their areas are also reasons that the effect on India is great. Many of these areas also experience monsoons, which cause intense chemical weathering and erosion that often wash away important nutrients (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010).

            One of the main minerals discussed in class and in the article by Dissanayake, Rao and Chandrajith was fluoride which causes fluorosis. Fluoride is commonly found in hornblende, mica, topaz and fluorite salt. In India it is found in many thermal springs, but also in numerous rivers, ground water sources and in the soil (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010). Fluoride is so interesting because it is something that is needed in moderation. In India we do not want to completely remove it from all sources since without it people are more prone to dental cavities, brittle bones, bone fractures and osteoporosis. But too much of it, such as what is being seen in India, causes dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and genu valgum. Dental fluorosis causes mottled enamel and teeth corrosion while skeletal fluorosis causes limitation of movement in joints due to new bones forming and calcification of others. Genu valgum has also recently been found to be a characteristic of a new type of fluorosis (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010). This is very prevalent in Western India and in a recent An ITP census “of 25 villages in Patan and Mehsana districts showed the prevalence rates of dental fluorosis to be 50-60 per cent and of skeletal fluorosis to be 25-30 per cent in men and women in the 45-60 year age group. In a similar census in Dungarpur and Banswara districts of southern Rajasthan, prevalence rates were found to be higher even among younger age groups” (Shah, 2004). There also appears to be a correlation between fluoride in the water and vitamin D deficiencies in India that need to be addressed further. It is also interesting to note that people in the Western developed world are able to withstand more fluoride in our water without suffering the effects, while those in poverty stricken areas are much more susceptible to lower amounts of fluoride since they do not often receive enough of other important minerals such as calcium which combat the ill effects of fluoride (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010).

            Though fluorosis is difficult to treat there have been many attempts to combat it. One of these was a study by Rao and Murthy, cited in the article, that used serpentine which is very good at taking up a lot of fluoride in aqueous solutions within humans. It can be administered either through an IV or orally and though the reasoning is not completely known it has led researchers to believe that aluminum hydroxide and ferric hydroxide could also be utilized (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010). Fluorosis is also seen to be reversible in children with a proper pill regiment of calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. There are also other methods that have been researched such as deflourination the water by adding activated alumina, using nano filtration or using what is called the Nalgonda technique. Though all of these have very good success rates and are very effective, they all take a lot of time and money (Dissanayake, Rao, & Chandrajith, 2010). They also require strong community and local government support which currently does not exist.

Thus the main step that needs to be taken next is in educating the public about fluorosis and steps that can be taken in preventing themselves from drinking contaminated water in the first place by digging deeper bore wells or finding other alternatives to ground water for drinking (Shah, 2004). This again requires time, money and the help of local and state governments in the areas that are most effected by the problem, but in the long run this is the best solution.

Bibliography

Dissanayake, C. B., Rao, C., & Chandrajith, R. (2010). Some Aspects of the Medical Geology of the Indian Subcontinent and Neighbouring Regions. Medical Geology: a Regional Synthesis, 175-198.

Shah, T. (2004). Water and Welfare: Critical Issues in India's Water Future. Economic &

Political Weekly, 39 (12), 1211-1213.