Fluoride levels in the ground water of some selected districts of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Fluoride levels in drinking water is of important public concern. A fluoride concentration of around 1.0 mg/l effectively prevents disease dental caries without harmful effects on health. The Fluorosis may occur when the fluoride levels exceed the recommended limits. People drinking water containing very high amounts of fluorides are afflicted with discoloured or mottled teeth. In most rural areas of Sri supplies purposes. are not available, well In the present study, water wells in several districts in the fluoride levels. The Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) recommends a maximum desirable level of 0.6 mg/l and maximum permissible level of 1. 5 mg/l of fluoride in drinking water. Accordingly, the study revealed three categories of districts i.e. ; In view of the caries reducing properties of fluorides, it is important to consider fluor idation of water supplies in areas with a very low concentration of fluoride in the water supply. Water supplies in which fluoride levels exceed the maximum permissible concentration of 1.5 mg/l may result in dental fluorosis of people drinking such water. Defluoridation of water supplies in which the fluoride levels exceed the recommended levels is therefore important. Lanka where public water water is used for drinking samples from drinking water island were analysed for their Category I - Regions where the fluoride concentration is less than 0.6 mg/l. Category II - Regions where the fluoride concentration is between 0.6 mg/l and 1.5 mg/l. Category III - Regions where the fluoride concentration is greater than 1.5 mg/l.