AN ASSESSMENT OF WORLDWIDE SCENARIOS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INDIA ON FLUORIDE CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER

Abstract

A basic human right is the availability of clean drinking water, but groundwater contamination—especially from fluoride—poses a serious threat to the environment and public health worldwide. Around 200 million people worldwide are impacted by fluoride pollution that exceeds the WHO's acceptable limit of 1.5 mg/L, which has been found in over 100 nations within the last ten years. The Americas and Australia have fewer instances, whereas Africa, Asia, and Europe have the largest concentrations. Both natural processes, including the weathering of fluoride-rich rocks, and human actions, like the use of pesticides, phosphate fertilisers, and sewage sludge, can introduce fluoride into water systems. From dental and skeletal fluorosis to non-skeletal ailments including muscular weakness, anaemia, and urinary abnormalities, excessive fluoride exposure can result in major health issues. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals are directly related to this problem, emphasising how urgently fluoride pollution must be addressed in order to provide everyone with access to clean drinking water by 2030.