FLUORIDE

The major sources of fluoride in groundwater are fluoride-bearing rocks such as fluorspar, cryolite, fluorapatite and hydroxylapatite. The fluoride content in the groundwater is a function of many factors such as availability and solubility of fluoride minerals, velocity of flowing water, temperature, pH, concentration of calcium and bicarbonate ions in water, etc. Though fluoride enters the body through food, water, industrial exposure, drugs, cosmetics, etc., drinking water is the major contributor (75–90% of daily intake). Due to its strong electronegativity, fluoride is attracted by positively charged calcium in teeth and bones. Major health problems caused by fluoride are dental and skeletal fluorosis as well as many non-skeletal manifestations