Fluoride

Assessment of the Exposure to Arsenic and Fluoride from Drinking Water in the City of Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico.

by Osiel González Dávila

The paper "Assessment of the Exposure to Arsenic and Fluoride from Drinking Water in the City of Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico" was presented at the World Congress on Water, Climate and Energy organised by the International Water Association (IWA-WCE 2012) in Dublin on May 15, 2012.

González Dávila, O. (2012) Assessment of the Exposure to Arsenic and Fluoride from Drinking Water in the City of Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico. World Congress on Water, Climate and Energy. International Water Association.

In several areas of Northern Mexico, groundwater arsenic and fluoride levels above the limits established by the... more In several areas of Northern Mexico, groundwater arsenic and fluoride levels above the limits established by the Mexican guideline have been detected. An exploratory study found that in two of the extraction wells from the system that provides water to the city of Guadalupe, Zacatecas, the levels of arsenic were 10 and 16 times above the Mexican guideline. Further, the fluoride levels were two times above the guideline. There was an urgent need to characterize the risk areas for arsenic and fluoride exposure. In this study arsenic and fluoride exposures from drinking water were estimated and different risk areas in the city of Guadalupe were identified and mapped. It was found that 100% of the collected samples show levels of arsenic above the Mexican guideline of 0.025 mg/l arsenic and almost 50% of the samples have levels of fluoride above the 1.5 mg/l fluoride guideline. Women and children 0-12 years old were identified as particularly vulnerable groups. A comprehensive public policy is required to tackle this environmental problem.
Keywords: Arsenic, Fluoride, Mexico, Water Contamination

Managing complications of radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients: Part II. Management of radiation-induced caries

by Chai Wen Lin

Head and neck cancer is becoming a more recognizable pathology to the general population and dentists. The modes of... more Head and neck cancer is becoming a more recognizable pathology to the general population and dentists. The modes of treatment include surgery and/or radiation therapy. Where possible, pretreatment dental assessment shall be provided for these patients before they undergo radiation therapy. There are occasions, however, whereby head and neck cancer patients are not prepared optimally for radiation therapy. Because of this, they succumb to complicated oral complications after radiation therapy. The management of xerostomia has been reviewed in Part I of this series. In this article, the management of dental caries, a sequalae of xerostomia following radiation therapy is reviewed.

FLUORIDES DISTRIBUTION IN NATURE

by DR.ABHITOSH DEBATA

PUBLISHED IN JOURNAL 'DRIEMS 2100'

FLUORIDES AS THERAPEUTIC AGENTS IN DENTAL HAZARDS

by DR.ABHITOSH DEBATA

JOURNAL OF EMERGING SCIENCE,APRIL 2011,VOL.3

Fluoride in Groundwater: Causes, Implications and Mitigation Measures

by Brindha K

Brindha, K. and Elango, L. (2011) Fluoride in Groundwater: Causes, Implications and Mitigation Measures. In:  Monroy, S.D. (Ed.), Fluoride Properties, Applications and Environmental Management, 111-136.

Fluoride in Groundwater: Causes, Implications and Mitigation Measures

by Elango L

Brindha, K. and Elango, L. (2011) Fluoride in Groundwater: Causes, Implications and Mitigation Measures. In:  Monroy, S.D. (Ed.), Fluoride Properties, Applications and Environmental Management, 111-136.

Water Arsenic and Fluoride Contamination in Zacatecas Mexico: An Exploratory Study

by Osiel González Dávila

González Dávila, O. (2011). Water Arsenic and Fluoride Contamination in Zacatecas Mexico: An Exploratory Study. 8th International Conference "Developments in Economic Theory." University of the Basque Country.

This paper has been presented in the 8th International Conference "Developments in Economic Theory" at the Department of Applied Economics V, University of the Basque Country (Spain), the 1st of July. It was also presented in the 2nd CES "Critical Economics" Summer School Environmental Values an Public Policies in Lousa (Portugal), the 12th of July 2011.

Due to Mexico's climate and environmental features, groundwater plays a very important role on Mexican economic... more Due to Mexico's climate and environmental features, groundwater plays a very important role on Mexican economic activities and welfare. On average, groundwater extraction provides more than 60% of the national water supply. Groundwater arsenic and fluoride levels above the limits established by the Mexican Official Norm have been detected in several areas of Mexico. According to the National Commission of Water, the total population living in states where there is systematic information about high levels of arsenic and/or fluoride in the waterworks is 6.4 million. In Mexico, the socio-economics of groundwater arsenic and fluoride occurrence is little studied, although appears that awareness is lacking. To overcome this, a baseline survey in two potentially affected municipalities of Zacatecas, Mexico was undertaken. The aim was to understand levels of awareness, health impacts and potential arsenic and fluoride avoidance strategies and practices. 41% of the interviewees stated that at least one household member shows brown mottling of teeth (fluorosis symptom). 18% reported that at least one household member shows dark skin spots on hand palms (arsenicosis symptom). Statistically significant correlations between the presence of arsenicosis and fluorosis symptoms and the consumption of certain food items and tap water were found. PROBIT regressions confirmed the association between arsenicosis and fluorosis symptoms and food and water consumption patterns. Water samples from five extraction wells supplying water to those municipalities were collected and tested for arsenic and fluoride levels as part of this exploratory study. The levels of arsenic in two of the extraction wells were more than 10 times above the Mexican guideline and the fluoride levels were two times above the Mexican guideline. There is a huge information problem. The population is not aware of the high levels of arsenic and fluoride in the tap water and a great majority has no information of the arsenicosis or fluorosis symptoms and the strategies to avoid them. Data about toxic elements levels in the public water systems are not available to the public. A comprehensive public strategy to tackle the problem is required.