Crippling flourosis in Assam - A study from Jadhavpur University - Current Science

This document published in Current Science includes a study from Jadhavpur University on the incidence of flourosis in Assam. The first case of endemic fluorosis in humans from India was reported by Short et al. from Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh in 1937. In 1950 only our states in India - Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh were identified with people suffering from fluorosis.

By 1986, 13 states were found as endemic for fluorosis and during 1990-92, two additional states, i.e. Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir had also joined the list. A report published by Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, identified 14 states and Delhi as endemic for fluorosis.

It was also mentioned in the report that in West Bengal (WB) and the seven northern hill states, the disease was not detected yet. However, the groundwater fluoride contamination and sufferings of people from Birbhum district of West Bengal and Karbi-Anglong district of Assam have come to light. In West Bengal elevated levels of fluoride underground water from Bardhaman, Bankura and Purulia districts were also reported. Presently we have in record 17 states in India, which are endemic for fluorosis.  It is stated, 'an estimated 62 million people in India in 17 out of 32 states are affected with dental, skeletal / or non-skeletal fluorosis'.

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