Kowshihan P et al
Year : 2024 | Volume : 9 | Issue : 1 | Page : 42-47
Estimation of fluoride concentration of fluoride in drinking water of Thiruvallur district – A pilot study
P Kowshihan, Jayashri Prabhakar, Lalitha Rani Chellappa
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Jayashri P
Associate Professor
Department of Public Health Dentistry
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals,
Chennai, India
Email –jayashri.sdc@saveetha.com
Abstract
Background:
Fluoride is often termed a double-edged weapon the optimal use of which offers maximum caries protection, whereas injudicious and excessive systemic consumption may lead to chronic fluoride toxicity, which manifests as dental and skeletal fluorosis. Hence, the critical issue that deserves probing is the optimal level of fluoride concentration in water to use this double-edged sword in a defensive manner. The main aim of the study is to estimate the concentration of fluoride in drinking water of Tiruvallur district.
Materials and Methods:
The study was conducted in Thiruvallur district after ethical approval from the research committee. 5 samples were collected from each taluk of Thiruvallur district. The water samples were verified whether they were used for drinking purposes. The samples were collected in a sterile cup and evaluated for fluoride analysis. Fluoride levels were estimated using a UV spectrophotometer and the amount of fluoride content was determined. The results were validated and tabulated and verified with the latest version of SPSS software and graphs were plotted.
Results:
Thus, based on the findings of the present study, it has been observed that Thiruthani taluk has more fluoride content which is 0.84 mg/l followed by Ponneri which has 0.67mg/l. The current enforceable drinking water standard for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L. This is the maximum amount that is allowed in water from public water systems, also called the Maximum Contaminant Level.
Conclusion:
Based on the findings it has been concluded that Thiruthani has higher fluoride concentration in drinking water. This study can be used as basis to initiate future studies that could correlate the amount of fluoride in the drinking water and the dental caries index or could also render a helping hand in devising a standard of water fluoridation that would potentially lower the caries risk in a given area without any major shortcomings.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
How to cite this Article: Kowshihan P, Jayashri Prabhakar, Lalitha Rani Chellappa (2024). Estimation of fluoride concentration of fluoride in drinking water of Thiruvallur district – A pilot study. Original article. International Journal of Social Rehabilitation, 9(1), 42-47. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjsocrehab.v9i1.1299
