SRI LANKA: Programme to test fluoride level in well water

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Programme to test fluoride level in well water

Sri Lanka Daily News - May 10, 2013

By Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry commenced a special programme to test fluoride levels in well water in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala districts to protect people from various diseases, a Health Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman, people in these districts suffer from kidney diseases, urinary track problems, dental fluorosis and bone fluorosis due to the high fluoride content of water in some districts. During a recent study, it was discovered that well water in 8,000 wells in Anuradhapura had high levels of fluoride. Over 80,000 wells were examined during the inspection. The healthy fluoride level in the drinking water is one unit for 100,000 units of water. If this level is above 3, it is possible to get bone fluorosis. This disease has been detected in areas, such as, Kekirawa and Pahala Giribawa in the Anuradhapura district. "Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has ordered health officials to display a special notice next to wells which have high fluoride content, preventing people from using them," he said.

"Equipment valued at over Rs. 7 million used to test the fluoride level of well water was distributed in 36 MOH divisions in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala districts," he added.

SOURCE:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2013/05/11/news14.asp