High fluoride in water harms Gariaband children
The Times of India - August 3, 2024
By Ayushi Sharma
RAIPUR: Children in the villages of Gariaband district are suffering from dental fluorosis due to high fluoride levels in the water. Although fluoride removal plants were installed in 40 villages at a cost of 6 crores to control this issue, many of them have stopped functioning within a few months. Every year, over 100 school students in these villages suffer from dental fluorosis. Currently, 50 to 60 children have been diagnosed with the condition. In the Devbhog block alone, more than 2,000 people are affected.
Recent government administration investigations revealed that the drinking water in 10-15 Devbhog block villages contains fluoride levels eight times higher than the safe limit. Plans were made to install fluoride removal plants in the affected schools.
Executive Engineer of Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) Pankaj Jain told TOI that clean drinking water should have a fluoride level of 1.5 ppm. However, in some villages, water quality testing in 2021 revealed fluoride levels around 4 ppm.
A new tender was filed in February 2024. The problems identified have been ordered to be resolved by June. Additionally, several issues, including the theft of solar panels, batteries, rods, pumps, and rectifiers by villagers, have been identified. These problems were addressed by June, and steps are being taken to resolve them and prevent future incidents.
However, these efforts have not been effective. In villages like Nangaldehi, Pithapara, and Goharapadar, 50 to 60 children, aged 6 to 10, are suffering from dental fluorosis, which is characterized by yellow teeth.
The disease, caused by high fluoride levels, has multiple issues and can also affect bones, leading to more severe health issues if untreated. A health expert warned that without reducing fluoride levels, the substance can impact bones, causing symptoms like kidney disease, body stiffness, fever, and bone deformities in adults, said Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Gargi Yadu. The public needs to have clean drinking water, she added.
Head teachers in affected villages reported numerous attempts to restart the closed plants. Despite informing relevant authorities, no action was taken. Some plants were locked, and equipment like pumps and filter machines were removed. Solar panels at over 10 schools were also found damaged.
SOURCE:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit ... 251755.cms
INDIA: High fluoride in water harms Gariaband children
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HC takes suo motu action on ‘fluoride levels in water’
Now the matter is before the High Court
HC takes suo motu action on ‘fluoride levels in water’
The Timed of India - August 7, 2024
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has registered a suo motu PIL on the basis of a TOI report from August 4, 2024, regarding dangerously high fluoride levels in the drinking water of Gariaband. According to the report titled "Fluoride in drinking water 8 times higher than safe limit in Gariaband," plants installed at a cost of Rs 6 crore to solve the problem had stopped working within months.
Kumar Agrawal remarked that the news report indicates the children of Gariaband district are suffering from dental fluorosis (yellowing of teeth due to high fluoride content). “If the issue is left unaddressed, it may cause more chronic diseases,” the court stated. Despite fluoride removal plants being installed in 40 villages, many have ceased functioning. In Devbhog block alone, more than 2,000 people are affected, including several schools.
Pankaj Jain, Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, told TOI that clean drinking water should have a fluoride level of 1.5 ppm, but tests in 2021 in some villages revealed fluoride levels of around 4 ppm. Such high levels of fluoride in water can cause skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, joint-related problems, fatigue, kidney-related diseases, and other chronic conditions, according to the court.
Despite numerous attempts by the head teachers of the affected schools, authorities have not done enough to remove fluoride from the drinking water, resulting in an alarming situation.
The HC bench directed the Secretary of the Health and Social Welfare Department to file a personal affidavit on the matter within two weeks and listed the matter for August 14. Advocate General Prafull N Bharat and counsel Sangharsh Pandey, representing the state, submitted that they would seek instructions and submit an appropriate response.
SOURCE:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit ... 331267.cms
HC takes suo motu action on ‘fluoride levels in water’
The Timed of India - August 7, 2024
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has registered a suo motu PIL on the basis of a TOI report from August 4, 2024, regarding dangerously high fluoride levels in the drinking water of Gariaband. According to the report titled "Fluoride in drinking water 8 times higher than safe limit in Gariaband," plants installed at a cost of Rs 6 crore to solve the problem had stopped working within months.
Kumar Agrawal remarked that the news report indicates the children of Gariaband district are suffering from dental fluorosis (yellowing of teeth due to high fluoride content). “If the issue is left unaddressed, it may cause more chronic diseases,” the court stated. Despite fluoride removal plants being installed in 40 villages, many have ceased functioning. In Devbhog block alone, more than 2,000 people are affected, including several schools.
Pankaj Jain, Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, told TOI that clean drinking water should have a fluoride level of 1.5 ppm, but tests in 2021 in some villages revealed fluoride levels of around 4 ppm. Such high levels of fluoride in water can cause skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, joint-related problems, fatigue, kidney-related diseases, and other chronic conditions, according to the court.
Despite numerous attempts by the head teachers of the affected schools, authorities have not done enough to remove fluoride from the drinking water, resulting in an alarming situation.
The HC bench directed the Secretary of the Health and Social Welfare Department to file a personal affidavit on the matter within two weeks and listed the matter for August 14. Advocate General Prafull N Bharat and counsel Sangharsh Pandey, representing the state, submitted that they would seek instructions and submit an appropriate response.
SOURCE:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit ... 331267.cms