India - Excess fluoride leads to chronic diseases: Study

NAGPUR: The increasing fluoride concentration in groundwater in rural areas of the state is leading to chronic diseases like skeleton and dental fluorosis, and in some areas deaths too, some studies have shown.

Though fluoride presence in groundwater is mainly due to natural contamination, the studies have revealed that anthropogenic activities like using fertilizers and pesticides containing phosphates, discharge of untreated industrial effluents and depletion of groundwater are also responsible for the high fluoride levels.

Following recent orders passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) jointly identified industries in the state that are using groundwater and require no objection certificate (NOC) from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)..............