DISTRIBUTION, EXPOSURE, AND RISK-ASSESSMENT OF FLUORIDE IN IN RURAL AREAS OF NORTH-WEST DELHI, INDIA

Abstract

Fluoride is regarded as a pollutant in the different environmental matrices. The presence of Fions in water, predominantly the one that serves both drinking and irrigation is the main concern across the globe. The present study was undertaken during the month of March 2020, whereby samples (water, soil and vegetables) depending upon the availability were collected from areas of endemic fluorosis. A total of 6 villages namely Bajitpur, Mungeshpur, Pooth Khurd, Daryapur, Auchandi and Qutubgarh, lying in North-West part of Delhi, were targeted for sample collection. The objectives behind the study were to gauge the quality of water and soil in the study area. A particular interest was directed towards determining the level, if any, of fluoride.