Fluorosis

By Amar Reddy & Mohan Mallam
Drinking water turned in to a slow position threatening the lives and livelihoods of the people who do not even have a voice

Fluorosis is more prevalent in Nalgonda and surrounding Districts in Andhra Pradesh

In Nalgonda District nearly Ten Lakh (One Million) people are living on the verge of death due to an overdose of Fluoride delivered in the natural ground water which causes a dreadful Disease by name "Fluorosis".

Five hundred villages in the district are gripped by Fluorosis, among which one hundred and sixty five to a severe manner. This disease is more prevalent in areas where the underground water resources are tapped and pumped out through pipes. Such water contains fluorine which gets dissolved in it making it a hazard for people who consume it. 'Reservoir Based Disease' is another name for this disease.

History of Fluorosis

In the year 1932, Muller and Gudson revealed to the world the presence of this disease. They started studying the disease and its causes when their sheep was infected by the same. They finally concluded that it was due to an excess of Fluorine content in the water. They named the disease as Fluorosis. The disease was noticed spreading to many areas of the combined Madras state in the same year. It was the king's institute of private medicine that confirmed the disease Fluorosis.

In the year 1945, it spread to many areas of Hyderabad district. Fluorine is essential for the dental and skeletal strength, but it should be only 1 ppm (Parts per million) in the drinking water, according to the World Health Organization. In Nalgonda district where Fluorosis is prevalent, the Fluorine content in the water is 10 pm.

OW DOES ONE GET FLUOROSIS

When people consume water with an excessive Fluoride content, Fluorine displaces calcium in the bones. As a result bones get twisted and weakened. Even the blood vessels absorb Fluorine and the blood circulation is effected.