Fluoride in groundwater and its implications in west Gonja District of Ghana

Abstract

Fluoride levels in groundwater may cause either enamel fluorosis or dental caries depending on their concentrations when consumed. Research has shown that an estimated 60 % of the total intake of fluoride is through drinking water (Selwitz et al, 2007). Boreholes sunk in the West Gonja district had their groundwater analyzed for fluoride. Using World Health Organisation (WHO) standard of (0.5-1. 5 mg/l) as basis, result revealed that concentration deviates from standard set by WHO. Test boreholes drilled in the communities showed three broad categorisations of fluoride levels in the groundwater as; <0.5mg/l (inadequate), 0.5-1.5 mg/l (adequate) and 1.5 – 4.8mg/l (excessive). Generally, the distribution in the district varied between 0.1 to 4.8 mg/l The concentration of fluoride was again spatially analysed to predict areas prone to fluorosis and dental caries diseases. The findings showed that most communities in the district within the western portion had generally low concentrations while those towards the east had elevated levels. The reappraisal of fluoride concentrations in groundwater resulted in the creation of geochemical atlas map of West Gonja District that showed the excessive, adequate and deficient concentrations of fluoride and potential fluorosis or dental caries localities based on the permissible levels.