Utilization of Fluoride Water And Its Health Consequences: A Health Survey In Pennagaram Taluk, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Background: Safe and pure water is essential for all people. The natural property of underground water depends upon the temperature, rainfall, parental rocks of an area. This natural phenomenon induces the fluoride content in Pennagaram taluk. It is obvious that those who consume the fluoride contented underground water are getting many types of health problems in long run. In Pennagaram taluk the fluoride concentrations is >1mg/l which is harmful to health. With this background, this present study examines the consumption of fluoride water and its health consequences in Pennagaram taluk.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study is to examine 1) the consumption of water 2) to analyse the impact of Fluoride water on human health 3) to investigate the drinking water problem and 4) to scrutinize the psychological condition of people in Pennagaram taluk, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu.

Methodology: Primarily, the fluoride content is identified in 30 water sample. Secondly, information was collected randomly from 900 people through questionnaire survey using 5 point Likert scale. Further, the collected information has been transformed into SPSS. Finally, factor analysis was employed.

Results: The findings of present study validate that the consumption of fluoride water creates many health problems in this region. The people are aware of fluoride impacts on health and drinking fluoride content water intentionally because of scarcity of water. They feel discomfort while drinking this water. For these reasons people like to move away from this place. However, to overcome the fluoride problem the government authority supplies non-fluoride water by the Integrated Hogenakkal-Cauvery River project for a short period of time. However, for a long period of time the people of this region are using underground fluoride water.