Abstract: India is one of the fluoride-endemic countries where the maximum numbers of ground or drinking water sources are naturally fluoridated. In India, a total of 23, out of 36 states and union territories have drinking water contaminated with fluoride in varying concentration. In the present scenario, especially in rural India, besides the surface waters (perennial ponds, dams, rivers, etc.), bore wells and hand pumps are the principal drinking water sources for domestic animals such as cattle (Bos taurus), water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), sheep (Ovis aries), goats (Capra hircus), horses (Equus caballus), donkeys (Equus asinus) and dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Out of 23 states, 17 states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha (Orissa), Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, have fluoride beyond the maximum permissible limit of 1.0 or 1.5 ppm in drinking water. This situation is a great concern for the animal health because fluoride is a slow toxicant and causes chronic diverse serious health hazards or toxic effects. Despite the fact that domestic animals are the basic income sources in rural areas and possess a significant contributory role not only in the agriculture sector but also in the strengthening of economy as well as in sustainable development of the country, research work on chronic fluoride intoxication (hydrofluorosis) due to drinking of fluoridated water in domestic animals rearing in various fluoride-endemic states is not enough as compared to work done in humans. However, some interesting and excellent research works conducted on different aspects of hydrofluorosis in domesticated animals rearing in different states are briefly and critically reviewed in the present communication. Author believes that this review paper not only will be more useful for researchers to do some more advance research work on fluoride-induced toxicosis in different species of animals but will also be helpful in the making of health policy for domestic animals at state and national level for the mitigation of hydrofluorosis in India.
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The study reviews the impact of fluoride toxicity (hydrofluorosis) in domestic animals across various fluoride-endemic states in India due to drinking fluoridated water, with a focus on its implications for the country’s rural economy and sustainable development.
High Fluoride levels in India’s Water Sources
The research identifies India as a fluoride-endemic country where many sources of ground or drinking water are naturally fluoridated. 23 out of 36 states and union territories in India have drinking water that contains varying concentrations of fluoride.
Domestic animals that rely on these water sources include cattle, water buffaloes, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and dromedary camels.
17 states were found to have fluoride concentrations beyond the maximum permissible limit of 1.0 or 1.5 ppm in drinking water, making them “Fluoride-endemic” areas.
Impact on the Health of Domestic Animals
Fluoride is a slow-acting toxicant that leads to serious health hazards or toxic effects over time; a condition known as Hydrofluorosis.
The study emphasizes that despite domestic animals being significant income sources in rural areas and contributing to the country’s economy and sustainable development, research on hydrofluorosis in these animals is insufficient as compared to studies on humans.
The Need for Further Research and Policy Implementation
Some previous research on different aspects of hydrofluorosis in domestic animals is briefly and critically reviewed. While robust, the study suggests that these do not sufficiently address the widespread problem.
The author underscores the need for more research, both to advance the understanding of fluoride-induced toxicosis in different species of animals, and to aid policy-making. The latter would address the mitigation of hydrofluorosis at the state and national levels.
Cite This Article
APA
Choubisa SL.
(2017).
A brief and critical review on hydrofluorosis in diverse species of domestic animals in India.
Environ Geochem Health, 40(1), 99-114.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-017-9913-x
Parasitology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Government Meera Girls College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India. choubisasl@yahoo.com.
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