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.
