Assessment of health risk from fluoride contaminated groundwater in western zone of Tamil Nadu

Aim: The objective of the study was to examine the status of fluoride contamination and its impact on human health and to identify the factors influencing human health expenditure in fluoride affected locales of western zone of Tamil Nadu. Methodology: A multi-stage sampling method involving a combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was employed in drawing up the samples for collecting primary data. About 18 water samples were collected and analysed for pH and fluoride content. Probit model was used to study the factor that influence the incidenced of human illness or not. Results: The results showed that fluoride concentration in groundwater varied between 1.38 to 1.94 mg l(-1), causing dental fluorosis, pain in joints and skeletal fluorosis among people.Additional health care expenditure was observed as Rs.445/- per month per family in highly fluoride affected locale. Interpretation: Government should make efforts to spread awareness among the farmers to avert fluoride contaminated groundwater and health campaign should be conducted regularly in the study area.