Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120354140500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Fluorosis endemic in Kaiwara: expert

Staff Reporter

Water samples collected from 12 sources
Some children to be taken for tests

Bangalore: Fluorosis is endemic in 25 countries and India lies in a geographical fluoride belt. Of the 85 million tonnes of fluoride deposits found on the earth’s crust, nearly 12 million tonnes are in India. Fluorosis is an endemic condition prevalent in 19 States of the country.

Addressing presspersons about the study of Endemic Hydric Fluorosis in Kaiwara village, Kolar district, N. Kochupillai, director, medical research, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, said that 21 per cent of children in the village had goitre. “Excessive ingestion of fluoride has varied heath effects. It may cause dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, hyperthyroidism, cause accumulation of fluoride in kidneys and mucosal damage and gastrointestinal dysfunction,” Dr. Kochupillai said. As part of the study, drinking water samples were collected from 12 sources around the village. All the tested water sources showed an excess of fluoride content, well above the permissible limits. Urine samples from a representative cross-section of students at Kaiwara were collected. “The samples showed that high levels of fluoride indicating ingestion of excess of fluoride through drinking water,” he said. Dr. Kochupillai said the studies indicated that endemic prevalence of a unique syndrome caused by hydric fluorosis was prevalent among schoolchildren in Kaiwara. High prevalence of disorders, including endemic goitre and dental mottling, might affect the psycho-physical growth and development of schoolchildren.

“A representative of cross-section of students from the village will be brought to M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital for investigation of kidney function, bone mineral metabolic status, thyroid function, gastrointestinal absorptive status, biochemistry and chromosomal studies,” he added.