Fluoride Contamination in Water of Balrampur District and its Effects on Human Health

Contamination of drinking water fluoride is a global public health issue. Fluoride is considered useful in low concentrations, particularly for oral health, but high levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) accredited levels of 1.5 mg/L are as dangerous as health risks. This scenario contributes most to natural geochemical processes, including the dissolution of minerals containing fluorine and minerals containing anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and industry changes. In Balrampur in Chhattisgarh region, high concentrations of fluorine have been identified in villages of Jhingidi, Semersot, and Alkadih, with measurement levels of 1.51, 1.51, and 1.53 mg/L, respectively, higher than the safety level. Even a maximum excess above the threshold can have long-term consequences for human health. High durability of fluorine levels has been reported to result in fluorosis of the teeth and skeletal structures, as well as a wide range of systemic effects. These include endocrine disorders, neurological deficiency, osteoporosis, bone abnormalities, paralysis, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, changes in immune function, and developmental delays. Chronic swallowing can also harm major organs such as the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and brain. The Balrampur situation serves as an appeal to water quality, effective hearing loss, and ongoing surveillance of public health. A review of this paper critically analyzes the outcomes related to fluoride contamination and health in this area.