Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact

Lar Alexander Uriah; Dibal Hyeladi; Schoeneich f Krzyszto

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact

Lar Alexander Uriah, Dibal Hyeladi, Schoeneich f Krzyszto

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 3, Issue 6-2)

Received: 1 October 2014 Accepted: 18 October 2014 Published: 25 December 2014

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Abstract

Until recently, the mottling and staining of teeth (dental caries) was believed to be an identity of certain ethnic groups or communities in Nigeria. Those born and reared locally within such communities had mottling teeth and fluoride as the causal factor was not known then. It was sooner discovered that dental caries extended beyond tribal or communal barriers. Even foreigners that came from far away Asia presented this disease condition. Records have shown that elsewhere in the world where dental caries was endemic, fluoridization of public water supplies was done and that reduced the prevalence of dental carries greatly. Dental caries is endemic and epidemic spread over a large range of superficial area mainly the north eastern half of Nigeria both in the crystalline basement and sedimentary areas. The few data available on fluoride in drinking water clearly establishes the relationship between dental caries and environmental fluoride in drinking water. With the failure of the water supply systems in most parts of Nigeria to meet the demand of the increasing human population, about 90% of people use groundwater (well and borehole) for drinking and other domestic purposes. Studies have shown that, fluoride values (0.2 – 8 mg/l) above the 1.5 mg/l WHO admissible value have been recorded in the groundwater from the crystalline Basement rocks (consisting of granites, gneisses, and migmatites). In the sedimentary terrain especially that of the Benue Trough, fluoride values of between 1mg/l to 4 mg/l have been recorded and the incidence of dental caries extends all along the 1000 m N-S long trough. A lot of awareness campaign still needs to be done on the health implications of drinking of fluoride-rich waters and to debunk the belief of its association to certain tribes or communities.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 3, Issue 6-2) This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Earth Materials, Diet, Water and Human Health
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
Page(s)	66-69
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Fluoride, Fluorosis, Dental Caries, Drinking Water, Nigeria

References

[1]	World Health Organisation, (2004). Guidelines for drinking water quality. 2nd Ed., Vol.2, Health criteria and other supporting information. Published by International Programme on Chemical Safety, WHO, Geneva.
[2]	Alakija, W. (1983). Dental caries in primary school children in Nigeria. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics (6) 29 pp317-319.
[3]	Lar, U.A, Dibal, H.U, Daspan, R.I and Jaryum, S.W. (2007). Fluoride occurrence in the surface and groundwaters of Fobur area of Jos East LGA, Plateau State. Journal of Environmental Sciences 11, 2, 99 – 105.
[4]	Dibal, H.U. and Lar, U.A. (2005). Preliminary survey of fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of Kaltungo area, Gombe State, northeastern Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol.9 No.2 pp41-52.
[5]	WHO (1998): Guidelines for drinking water Quality. Addendum to Vol.2, second edition. Geneva.
[6]	Handa, B.K. (1975). Ground water, 13 275-281.
[7]	Smedley, P.L., Nicolli, H.B., Macdonald, D.M.J, Barros, A.J. and Tullio, J.O. (2002). Applied Geochemistry, 17, 259-284.
[8]	Hounslow, A.W. (1995). Water Quality Data: Analysis and interpretation, CRC, p54.
[9]	Hem, J.D. (1991). Study and Interpretation of Chemical characteristics of natural water, United States Geological Water Supply, Paper 2254, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 3rd ed, p120-130.
[10]	Pauwels, H and Ahmed, S. (2007) Fluoride in groundwater: origin and health impacts. Geosciences et Sante No.5 BRGM’s Journal for Sustainable Earth pp68 -73
[11]	Wongdem. J.G., Aderinokun, G.A., Sridhar, M.R., and Selkur, S. (2003). Prevalence and distribution pattern of enamel fluorosis in Langtang Town. Afr. Journal of Medical Science. Fluoride 35. pp 120-135.
[12]	Dissanayake, C.B. (1991). The fluoride problem in the groundwaters of Sri Lanka. Environmental Problems and health. Intl. Journal and Environmental Studies 19, pp 195 –203.
[13]	Davies, T.C. (2003). Some environmental problems of geomedical relevance in East and Southern Africa. In: Geology and Health. Oxford Univ. Press. Elsevier. Pp139-144.
[14]	Bano, A.I., Isichei,W. P., Das,S.U., Morimoto,I. and Nagataki,S.(1987). Common Trace Elements in Potable water in Plateau State of Nigeria and their impact on goiter prevalence in the State. Proceedings of Nigeria-Japan Joint Conference on Trace Metal, Giotre, Dirrhoea, Medical Entomology and Epidemiology pp 15 – 17 Japan Int. Coop. Agency.

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APA Style

Lar Alexander Uriah, Dibal Hyeladi, Schoeneich f Krzyszto. (2014). Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 66-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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ACS Style

Lar Alexander Uriah; Dibal Hyeladi; Schoeneich f Krzyszto. Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2014, 3(6-2), 66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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AMA Style

Lar Alexander Uriah, Dibal Hyeladi, Schoeneich f Krzyszto. Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact. Am J Environ Prot. 2014;3(6-2):66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19,
  author = {Lar Alexander Uriah and Dibal Hyeladi and Schoeneich f Krzyszto},
  title = {Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-2},
  pages = {66-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.s.2014030602.19},
  abstract = {Until recently, the mottling and staining of teeth (dental caries) was believed to be an identity of certain ethnic groups or communities in Nigeria. Those born and reared locally within such communities had mottling teeth and fluoride as the causal factor was not known then. It was sooner discovered that dental caries extended beyond tribal or communal barriers. Even foreigners that came from far away Asia presented this disease condition. Records have shown that elsewhere in the world where dental caries was endemic, fluoridization of public water supplies was done and that reduced the prevalence of dental carries greatly. Dental caries is endemic and epidemic spread over a large range of superficial area mainly the north eastern half of Nigeria both in the crystalline basement and sedimentary areas. The few data available on fluoride in drinking water clearly establishes the relationship between dental caries and environmental fluoride in drinking water. With the failure of the water supply systems in most parts of Nigeria to meet the demand of the increasing human population, about 90% of people use groundwater (well and borehole) for drinking and other domestic purposes. Studies have shown that, fluoride values (0.2 – 8 mg/l) above the 1.5 mg/l WHO admissible value have been recorded in the groundwater from the crystalline Basement rocks (consisting of granites, gneisses, and migmatites). In the sedimentary terrain especially that of the Benue Trough, fluoride values of between 1mg/l to 4 mg/l have been recorded and the incidence of dental caries extends all along the 1000 m N-S long trough. A lot of awareness campaign still needs to be done on the health implications of drinking of fluoride-rich waters and to debunk the belief of its association to certain tribes or communities.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact
AU  - Lar Alexander Uriah
AU  - Dibal Hyeladi
AU  - Schoeneich f Krzyszto
Y1  - 2014/12/25
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 66
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
AB  - Until recently, the mottling and staining of teeth (dental caries) was believed to be an identity of certain ethnic groups or communities in Nigeria. Those born and reared locally within such communities had mottling teeth and fluoride as the causal factor was not known then. It was sooner discovered that dental caries extended beyond tribal or communal barriers. Even foreigners that came from far away Asia presented this disease condition. Records have shown that elsewhere in the world where dental caries was endemic, fluoridization of public water supplies was done and that reduced the prevalence of dental carries greatly. Dental caries is endemic and epidemic spread over a large range of superficial area mainly the north eastern half of Nigeria both in the crystalline basement and sedimentary areas. The few data available on fluoride in drinking water clearly establishes the relationship between dental caries and environmental fluoride in drinking water. With the failure of the water supply systems in most parts of Nigeria to meet the demand of the increasing human population, about 90% of people use groundwater (well and borehole) for drinking and other domestic purposes. Studies have shown that, fluoride values (0.2 – 8 mg/l) above the 1.5 mg/l WHO admissible value have been recorded in the groundwater from the crystalline Basement rocks (consisting of granites, gneisses, and migmatites). In the sedimentary terrain especially that of the Benue Trough, fluoride values of between 1mg/l to 4 mg/l have been recorded and the incidence of dental caries extends all along the 1000 m N-S long trough. A lot of awareness campaign still needs to be done on the health implications of drinking of fluoride-rich waters and to debunk the belief of its association to certain tribes or communities.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-2
ER  -

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Author Information

Lar Alexander Uriah

Department of Geology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
Dibal Hyeladi

Department of Geology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
Schoeneich f Krzyszto

Department of Geology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

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APA Style

Lar Alexander Uriah, Dibal Hyeladi, Schoeneich f Krzyszto. (2014). Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 66-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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ACS Style

Lar Alexander Uriah; Dibal Hyeladi; Schoeneich f Krzyszto. Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2014, 3(6-2), 66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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AMA Style

Lar Alexander Uriah, Dibal Hyeladi, Schoeneich f Krzyszto. Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact. Am J Environ Prot. 2014;3(6-2):66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19,
  author = {Lar Alexander Uriah and Dibal Hyeladi and Schoeneich f Krzyszto},
  title = {Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-2},
  pages = {66-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.s.2014030602.19},
  abstract = {Until recently, the mottling and staining of teeth (dental caries) was believed to be an identity of certain ethnic groups or communities in Nigeria. Those born and reared locally within such communities had mottling teeth and fluoride as the causal factor was not known then. It was sooner discovered that dental caries extended beyond tribal or communal barriers. Even foreigners that came from far away Asia presented this disease condition. Records have shown that elsewhere in the world where dental caries was endemic, fluoridization of public water supplies was done and that reduced the prevalence of dental carries greatly. Dental caries is endemic and epidemic spread over a large range of superficial area mainly the north eastern half of Nigeria both in the crystalline basement and sedimentary areas. The few data available on fluoride in drinking water clearly establishes the relationship between dental caries and environmental fluoride in drinking water. With the failure of the water supply systems in most parts of Nigeria to meet the demand of the increasing human population, about 90% of people use groundwater (well and borehole) for drinking and other domestic purposes. Studies have shown that, fluoride values (0.2 – 8 mg/l) above the 1.5 mg/l WHO admissible value have been recorded in the groundwater from the crystalline Basement rocks (consisting of granites, gneisses, and migmatites). In the sedimentary terrain especially that of the Benue Trough, fluoride values of between 1mg/l to 4 mg/l have been recorded and the incidence of dental caries extends all along the 1000 m N-S long trough. A lot of awareness campaign still needs to be done on the health implications of drinking of fluoride-rich waters and to debunk the belief of its association to certain tribes or communities.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact
AU  - Lar Alexander Uriah
AU  - Dibal Hyeladi
AU  - Schoeneich f Krzyszto
Y1  - 2014/12/25
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 66
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
AB  - Until recently, the mottling and staining of teeth (dental caries) was believed to be an identity of certain ethnic groups or communities in Nigeria. Those born and reared locally within such communities had mottling teeth and fluoride as the causal factor was not known then. It was sooner discovered that dental caries extended beyond tribal or communal barriers. Even foreigners that came from far away Asia presented this disease condition. Records have shown that elsewhere in the world where dental caries was endemic, fluoridization of public water supplies was done and that reduced the prevalence of dental carries greatly. Dental caries is endemic and epidemic spread over a large range of superficial area mainly the north eastern half of Nigeria both in the crystalline basement and sedimentary areas. The few data available on fluoride in drinking water clearly establishes the relationship between dental caries and environmental fluoride in drinking water. With the failure of the water supply systems in most parts of Nigeria to meet the demand of the increasing human population, about 90% of people use groundwater (well and borehole) for drinking and other domestic purposes. Studies have shown that, fluoride values (0.2 – 8 mg/l) above the 1.5 mg/l WHO admissible value have been recorded in the groundwater from the crystalline Basement rocks (consisting of granites, gneisses, and migmatites). In the sedimentary terrain especially that of the Benue Trough, fluoride values of between 1mg/l to 4 mg/l have been recorded and the incidence of dental caries extends all along the 1000 m N-S long trough. A lot of awareness campaign still needs to be done on the health implications of drinking of fluoride-rich waters and to debunk the belief of its association to certain tribes or communities.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-2
ER  -

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