Excessive fluoride in groundwater of Central Ganga Alluvial Plain: a case study of Fatehpur, North India

Groundwater quality deterioration due to natural and anthropogenic causes is a major concern throughout the world which affects supply of safe drinking water to several million people globally. High concentration of fluoride, often above 1.5 mg/L, constitutes a severe problem over a large part of India. This study is the first report of excess fluoride in the groundwater of the Central Ganga Alluvial region in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Sampling in two villages shows that 95% of the groundwater samples belong to high fluoride concentration which is responsible for the endemic dental and skeletal fluorosis in the area concerned. It is observed that groundwater is being supplied to the local population without proper treatment. In the study area, several cases of dental fluorosis and bone deformities were observed in both children and adults. The health survey of the affected households revealed that high concentration of fluoride for extended time period is causing adverse health effects such as skin lesions, discoloration, cardiovascular disorders, dental and skeletal fluorosis. Therefore, there is a need to develop workable strategies to provide fluoride-safe drinking water to the affected communities.