FLUOROSIS AND ARSENICOSIS – A GLOBAL SCENARIO

Endemic fluorosis and chronic arsenic toxicity (arsenicosis) due to drinking of groundwater contaminated with high F and As is a major environmental health hazard throughout the world viz. USA,UK,Europe and Africa etc.,including India. The authors’ study indicated that the fluorine content of rocks in India,at most places,is much less than that in most developed countries. De-fluoridation methods (Nalgonda and Prasanthi Techniques) are cost-effective and efficient in reducing the F content in the groundwaters. De-fluoridation techniques,along with artificial recharge structures,rainwater harvesting structures and construction of sub-surface dams,will aid in the removal of alkalinity in soils and groundwaters,which results in immobilization of fluoride and reduction in the incidence of fluorosis.

Chronic arsenic toxicity (arsenicosis) is a major environmental health hazard through out the world,including India. Arsenic will be carried through air,food and water,in the form of arsenite and arsenate compounds,which are toxic to humans leading to liver fibrosis.skin lesions,chronic lung diseases,hypertension,,diabetes mellitus,cancer of skin,lung and urinary bladder. Arsenic contamination has been found in the States of Bihar,Uttar Pradesh,Jharkand,Assam,Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. in India and in Bangladesh,with an estimated 25 million people, and 6 million in West Bengal (India). Further,it is noted that treatment of arsenicosis is unsatisfactory and is mostly symptomatic.