Effect of Fluoride Toxicity on Some Haematological Indices in Human Population

The present study aimed to determine the toxicity of Fluoride on haematological indices in some population residing in fluoride endemic area of Dongergaon village of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra, India. The study group was selected on the basis of elevated level of serum fluoride and symptoms of skeletal fluorosis. Various haematological parameters such as Hb, TEC, TLC, HCT and PLT count were analysed. Students t-test was applied for statistical analysis and the result showed that values of haematological indices in study group were significantly declined as compared to control group. The outcomes of the present study indicated the reduction in Hb, TEC, HCT, increase in TLC and non-significant change in PLT.

Contribution to the ongoing discussion on fluoride toxicity

Since the addition of fluoride to drinking water in the 1940s, there have been frequent and sometimes heated discussions regarding its benefits and risks. In a recently published review, we addressed the question if current exposure levels in Europe represent a risk to human health. This review was discussed in an editorial asking why we did not calculate benchmark doses (BMD) of fluoride neurotoxicity for humans. Here, we address the question, why it is problematic to calculate BMDs based on the currently available data. Briefly, the conclusions of the available studies are not homogeneous, reporting negative as well as positive results; moreover, the positive studies lack control of confounding factors such as the influence of well-known neurotoxicants. We also discuss the limitations of several further epidemiological studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria of our review. Finally, it is important to not only focus on epidemiological studies. Rather, risk analysis should consider all available data, including epidemiological, animal, as well as in vitro studies. Despite remaining uncertainties, the totality of evidence does not support the notion that fluoride should be considered a human developmental neurotoxicant at current exposure levels in European countries.

Ground water toxicity due to fluoride contamination in Southwestern Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

The prevalence of dental/bone deformities provides motivation for studying the distribution, severity and sources of the Fluoride (F−1). The ground water samples (n = 77) were collected, from the districts of Lahore and Kasur of approximately 750 Km2 area. The water was analyzed for fluoride (F−), pH, electric conductivity (EC), alkalinity and hardness. The results revealed F− concentration ranges from 0.25–21.3 mg. An inverse relation between depth and fluoride concentration was observed. On the basis of cluster analysis three zones were identified. Highly toxic zone was a strip of 15 km wide and 3 km long, along Multan road from Sunder to Phool Nagar bypass, with fluoride concentration (08–21.3 mg/l). The highly toxic zone inhabited a number of industrial units, disposing off their waste water through soaking pits. These units contribute pollution to the shallow water, which further penetrates to the surroundings. Hence the shallow water (depth of 45–50 feet) was the most contaminated. The intensity of toxic effects decreases from highly to mild toxic zone. It was concluded that the problem was actually associated with the industrial waste water. Therefore, to overcome the issue, measures of supplying fresh drinking water from the deep aquifer as well as treatment of industrial water is suggested. HIGHLIGHT Industry was actually responsible for fluoride toxicity in the region rather than natural sources.