1. SHAVETA DESWAL - Research Scholar, Kalinga University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
2. Dr. ANIL SHARMA - Professor, Kalinga University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
This study investigates the fluoride concentration in drinking water across 84 villages in the Rewari Block of Rewari District, Haryana, India, a region with significant agricultural activity and semi-arid climate. Fluoride, a persistent pollutant, is naturally present in the Earth's crust and can accumulate in groundwater, particularly in regions with fluoride-bearing minerals. The study utilized the ion-selective electrode (ISE) method to measure fluoride levels in groundwater samples, finding concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1.3 mg/L, which is within the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, 21 villages reported levels exceeding the recommended 1.0 mg/L limit. The higher fluoride concentrations in some areas are attributed to geological factors, such as the presence of fluoride-rich rocks, deeper water tables, and specific climatic conditions. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions by government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to mitigate the health risks associated with fluoride contamination in drinking water, particularly in rural and semi-arid regions dependent on groundwater sources.
Fluoride Contamination, Groundwater, Ion-Selective Electrode, Fluorosis, Public Health.