Fluoride Contamination in Water of Balrampur District and its Effects on Human Health

Sahdev^1*, Shweta Choubey², Ajay Vikram Ahirwar³_, Danuj Kumar Markam¹, Ajay Chhattar¹

^1*Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Government Engineering College Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

²Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Government Engineering College Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

³Department of Civil Engineering, National institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

Abstract:

Contamination of drinking water fluoride is a global public health issue. Fluoride is considered useful in low concentrations, particularly for oral health, but high levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) accredited levels of 1.5 mg/L are as dangerous as health risks. This scenario contributes most to natural geochemical processes, including the dissolution of minerals containing fluorine and minerals containing anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and industry changes. In Balrampur in Chhattisgarh region, high concentrations of fluorine have been identified in villages of Jhingidi, Semersot, and Alkadih, with measurement levels of 1.51, 1.51, and 1.53 mg/L, respectively, higher than the safety level. Even a maximum excess above the threshold can have long-term consequences for human health. High durability of fluorine levels has been reported to result in fluorosis of the teeth and skeletal structures, as well as a wide range of systemic effects. These include endocrine disorders, neurological deficiency, osteoporosis, bone abnormalities, paralysis, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, changes in immune function, and developmental delays. Chronic swallowing can also harm major organs such as the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and brain. The Balrampur situation serves as an appeal to water quality, effective hearing loss, and ongoing surveillance of public health. A review of this paper critically analyzes the outcomes related to fluoride contamination and health in this area.

Keywords: Fluoride, Water, Balrampur, Human Health.

Introduction
Water is a prerequisite for all physiological processes in humans, animals, and plants. However, the quality of groundwater and surface waters differs significantly from geological aspects, such as race, type of mineralization, and environmental factors such as change and pollution (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; & Davis S. N., Deweist R.J.M., 1966).The complex interactions with water with soluble or economically soluble minerals of natural and anthropogenic sources tend to hide water quality (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; &Datta, A. S., et al., 2014).  Fluoride can be harmful to drinking water after more than 1.5 million hours. Chronic effects lead to fluorosis of the skeletal and dental system, especially in animals, and diseases in people (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; Choubisa, S. L., 2001; &Choubisa, S. L., 2012). The widespread fluoroacidosis caused by fluorine water has been reported across India, where fluid oxidative factorosis is endemic in various conditions (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; Choubisa, S. L., 1999; &Choubisa, S. L., 2007).  The main geological source of fluorine in groundwater is the changes in minerals containing fluorine, but mining, pesticide use, and anthropogenic sources such as brick eggs are also responsible for (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; &Farooq, S., et al., 2008).  This increase has been described as the addition of contaminants that produce harmful corrections to water and soil properties that affect health ((Sahdev, &Kuldeep, 2024; &Toccalino, P. L., & Norman, J. E., 2006).  The Indian Standards Office (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are 1.5 mg/L (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; WHO 2004; & BIS 2012).

Area of Study:

Excessive functional operations in certain regions of India have arisen due to completed demand, while others have not been fully developed. More effective management of water-carrying horizon systems requires micro-level research. These studies support parties interested in understanding aquifer classification cards, and thus assist in the transfer of results to separate waters (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; WHO 2004; & BIS 2012).  Aquifer classification is approximate and should not control a particular solution. Groundwater parameters such as Uzvision and quality vary in time in paragraph 2022-23. (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan,R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

Area Details:

Created on January 1, 2012, the Balrampur district originally belonged to the Surguja district. Applies to an area of ​​3806.08 square meters. Km est estsituéà North Chhattisgarh.. This region is a map of card 64I, 64M, 64P, and 73A, with latitudes from 23°08'49'' to 24°06'22''N and longitudes from 82°41'48'' to 84°04'38''E. It is restricted by Jharkhand in the northeast, Uttar Pradesh in the north, Madhya Pradesh in the northwest, Surajpur in the west, and Surguja and Jashpur in the south (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan,R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

Data Sources and Research Strategy:

Relevant literature was searched from electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and government publications, including the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and National Health Mission reports. The keywords used for the search were:

Fluoride pollution in Balrampur

Groundwater Fluoride in Chhattisgarh

Dental fluorosis in India

Balrampur Skeletal Fluorosis

Effects of fluoride on health

Administrative Divisions and Groundwater Issues in Balrampur District

Balrampur district comprises 645 villages organized into six administrative development blocks to streamline governance and development initiatives. The district headquarters is located in Balrampur itself (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

Development Blocks:

1. Balrampur
2. Kusmi
3. Rajpur
4. Ramchandrapur
5. Shankergarh
6. Wadrafnagar

Groundwater Problem

  i.        During the summer, many wells dug in the village are depleted and several manual pumps stop watering due to low yields of the water-carrying horizon system (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

ii.        The fracture area relies on granite aquifers for groundwater production, complicating successful well identification and drilling. Scientific and geophysical intelligence is necessary to minimize the frequency of disorders (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

iii.        On the horizon, carrying sandstone water, manual drilling using wells is affected by the deep limitations of hard shale. In principle, mechanized drilling through a rotary platform can cause poor discharge due to pore invasion, and wells can occur, particularly in bad cases (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

iv.        Sandstone water horizon ring wells are generally exposed to sand penetration during and after construction, making access to the upper saturated aquifer difficult in the summer. Drain holes increase sand mobility and cause problems with descent rings (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).
(v) Fluoride contamination remains a pressing issue. Elevated fluoride levels have been recorded in villages like Jingidi, Semersot, and Arkadi, with concentrations exceeding WHO's safe limit of 1.5 mg/L (Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

Table 1: Locations with high fluoride levels

(Sreenath, G., 2020; Sonbarse, P., 2022-23; Dewangan, R., et al., 2022-23; Verma, J. R., 2020-21; & Kumar, U., 2022).

Health Impacts of Fluoride Contamination in Groundwater: A Comprehensive Overview

Dental Fluorosis: The effects of fluoride during tooth development lead to dental fluorosis, in soft cases, in the form of white wounds, and in serious cases, yellow black spots are observed. Adults do not necessarily have symptoms, as signs of fluoride only form during enamel development. (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; Maheshwari, R. C., 2006; &Choubisa, S. L., &Sompura, K. 1996).

Skeletal Fluorosis: This condition affects both children and adults. Symptoms—initially similar to arthritis—include joint stiffness, chronic pain, tingling, fatigue, and abnormal bone growth. In severe cases, bones may fuse, causing crippling deformities and even leading to osteosarcoma (Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. 2018; & Maheshwari, R. C., 2006).

Endocrine effects: Fluorescence disrupts the production and regulation of hormones, especially in the thyroid gland. Reports from northern Gujarat show an increase in serum thyroid glands in residents using fluoride levels between 1.0 and 6.53 mg/L. Meanwhile, other changes in thyroid hormone were not statistically significant, but adrenal hormone levels increased and endocrine destruction was in place (Hussain, J., et al., 2004; Robinson, R. F., et al., 2002; Michael, M., et al., 1996).

Neurological Effects: Neurological properties related to the effects of fluoride are primarily transmitted from India, with the first note coming from the Nalgondo region (Shortt et al., 1937; Hussain et al., 2004; Rao, 2015). Ten of the first cases were observed in this region, with sporadic cases in other parts of the country (Murthi et al., 1953; Chhuttani et al., 1962). Fluorides interfere with glycolis, an important energy pathway in the central nervous system, and are involved as a mechanism for its neurotoxicity (Eichler et al., 1982). These interference mechanisms are responsible for symptoms such as tetani, paresthesia, paralysis, and convulsions caused by fluoride hypocalcemia. Chinese studies have shown that they have been reported to reduce intelligence in children exposed to high levels of fluoride, although not controlling for mixed factors (Li et al., 1994; Lu et al., 2000; Hussain et al., 2004).

Osteoporosis: Consumption of water containing fluorine above 4 mg/L leads to osteoporosis, a condition in which bone density is high but with low structural stability. Osteoporosis is one of the reasons for the high levels of fractures in older people, especially women who are four times more vulnerable than men. Osteoporotic thigh fractures are particularly dangerous, with 20% of deaths within six months of the time of injury (Hussain et al., 2004; Bezerra et al., 2003).

Fluorosis-Induced Deformity and Paralysis: Paralysis and deformity induced by fluorosis
for decades, long-term consumption of fluoride ions of 20-80 mg/day can lead to severe skeletal fluorosis, especially in endemic regions such as Rajasthan and Punjab. Gravity includes celysis, contractures of the thighs and knees, and immobilization of the chest wall caused by chondrosis. In severe conditions, people affected by fluorinosis can develop paraplegia and immobilization (Hussain et al., 2004; Kaminsky et al., 1990).

Cardiovascular Effects: Pocus containing fluoride mainly causes hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia, and cardiovascular complications. Hypoceremia can destroy nerve and muscle function, causing myocardial hypersensitivity, arrhythmia, and cardiovascular disruption. Hydrophobicity from electrolyte disorders is thought to lead to brain and sudden death fibrillation (Bayless&Tinanoff, 1985; Baltazar et al., 1980).

Gastrointestinal Effects: Gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are common after fluoride consumption. Sodium fluoride, combined with sodium fluoride and stomach acid, enters the cell wall and causes cytoplasmic damage (Susheela et al., 1993). In an Indian village where the average fluoride content in drinking water was 3.2 ppm, more than 50% of the inhabitants suffered from irritable digestive symptoms that were not associated with Urza. It is interesting to note that the symptoms disappeared several weeks after the transition of hypofluoride to water (Hoffman, 1980; Waldbott, 1981; Hussain et al., 2004).

Effects on the Immune System

Fluoride interferes with protein structures, compromising immune cell functions. Its immunosuppressive effects include:

• Inhibition of white blood cell migration.
• Suppression of phagocytic activity.
• Release of harmful superoxide radicals from immune cells.
  These disruptions impair the body's ability to respond to infections effectively (Hussain et al., 2004).

Developmental Effects: Fluoride crosses the placenta in small amounts, but has been proven to have an effect on the fetal fabric. The dose-dependent toxicity of development, along with indicators of spinal crevasses, is much higher in the fluorine region (4.5-8.5 meters) than in the control region (1.5 hours/million) (Gedalia et al., 1961; Mahoney et al., 1971; Gupta et al., 1995). However, these studies are threatened because they have not corrected nutritional shortcomings (Erickson et al., 1976; Hussain et al., 2004).

Conclusion
Contamination of drinking water fluoride is a major threat to human health, calling for immediate and effective action in the areas of environmental conservation and sustainable water resource control. Although anthropogenic problems contribute to fluoride release, natural geological contamination remains the main source in most regions. High fluorine content has been recorded in certain villages in Balrampur district, in Jhingidi (1.51 mg/l), Semersot (1.51 mg/L), and Alkadih (1.53 mg/L), beneath the blocks of Balrampur and Rajpur. There are more concentrations than tolerable restrictions set by health authorities, and they have many detrimental consequences for health, including dental and skeletal fluorescence, particularly for long-term effects. To withstand these effects, a systematic and detailed sample is required for every block in the Balrampur district. This helps in careful geographical mapping of fluoride distributions, leading to the determination of high-risk areas. If the level of fluoride is very high, it is important to ensure effective hearing loss techniques, public health measures, and alternative safe drinking water. The initial behavior can prevent the onset of fluoride-related diseases and improve the overall quality of life in affected communities.