Water defluoridation: Field studies in India

Fluoride, a normal constituent of natural waters has dual significance. At optimum concentration it has a protective effect on teeth. At concentrations exceeding a certain limit, it acts as a cumulative toxin, adversely affecting every tissue and organ in the body. Since water is one of the major sources of fluoride for man, defluoridation of drinking water is one of the most important remedial measures to solve high fluoride problem. Over the years several defluoridation techniques have been developed and put to test, some at the laboratory level and others at the community level. This article attempts to review the procedure, pros and cons of some field studies on water defluoridation done in India.