Fluoride levels highest in Green Park groundwater, survey

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Fluoride levels highest in Green Park groundwater, survey shows

Expres India - November 21, 2006

By Teena Thacker

New Delhi, November 21: Fourteen areas in the Capita have been found to have an abnormally high level of fluoride in the groundwater with Green Park in South Delhi leading the list.

A recent report on the quality of groundwater, done for the first time as part of the Economic Survey of Delhi, 2005-06, has revealed that the fluoride content is almost 20 times more than the permissible limits in Green Park and adjoining areas, at 19.33 milligram per litre (mg/lt). The figure is alarming as it is much more than that found even in coastal areas.

As per the National Standards, the limit of fluoride content in groundwater should be one milligram per litre of water. Shahbad in West Delhi comes second in the list, recording 8.70 mg/lt of fluoride content.

In total, 14 areas have been found to have excess fluoride in drinking water content in the capital.

The other areas falling in this category are Narela, Okhla, Rohini, Najafgarh, Mohammadpur, Suraj Park, Sabzi Mandi, Hari Nagar near Ashram, Sriniwaspuri, Jangpura and Lodhi Road. The report will soon be submitted to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), which is the custodian of groundwater.

The report also found that the areas, where the groundwater had a high level of fluoride, also suffered from water crisis. In most of these areas, groundwater was extracted through bore-wells.

“It’s a matter of great concern for us. Authorities should do something,” said Green Park RWA respresentative Prakash Khanna.

According to environmentalists, the problem was just waiting to happen.

“This had been apprehended for a long time. In fact, there are several research papers that have predicted this phenomenon. There are rock structures lying deep underground that are laden with fluoride. If boring is done in such a manner that the layer gets broken or eroded for some reason, the fluoride gets into the water. The entire South Delhi is under that threat and something needs to be done real soon,” said Gopal Krishna, conveyor, water watch.

Long-term exposure to excess fluoride leads to its accumulation in bones, which can lead to skeletal fluorosis and bone fractures.

In very young children, intake of excessive amounts of fluoride can also lead to dental fluorosis, preventing the normal maturation of the enamel .

“High fluoride is also linked with thyroid disorders and other chronic disorders related with kidney and hypertension. Something needs to be done about this immediately,” said Dr NP Singh, professor of medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College.

In the water you drink
Fluoride content in milligram per litre water
* Green Park: 19.33
* Najafgarh: 8.70
* Shahbad: 7.36
* Shahbad (JJ colony): 6.67
* Narela: 4.87
* Rohini: 4.35
* Suraj Park: 4.23
* Lodhi road: 4.00
* Okhla: 3.00
* Mohammadpur: 2.50
* Jangpura: 2.44
* Hari Nagar (Ashram): 1.50
* Sriniwaspuri: 1.38
* Sabzi Mandi: 1.30

SOURCE:
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstor ... sid=210313