Journal of Control & Instrumentation

Journal of Control & Instrumentation Original Research

Fluorosis- A Serious Health Problem which demands Sustainable Solution

  1. Bihari Singh Centre for Fluorosis Research, A.N. College, Patna
  2. Jayant Kumar Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance, Centre for Fluorosis Research, A.N. College, Patna
  3. Prashant Chandra National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis, Centre for Fluorosis Research, A.N. College, Patna

Abstract

Two essential components of an Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation Programme include provision for regular supply of fluoride safe potable water to the fluorosis affected areas, and nutritional supplementation of Calcium, Vitamins, Iron, Protein and Antioxidants to fluorosis patients. Present study reports the experience of the authors gathered during their study on fluorosis problems in different fluorosis endemic areas of Bihar. They are fully convinced that of various methods available for providing fluoride safe water to fluorosis affected villages/habitations the simple, sustainable and easily acceptable by the beneficiary families- mostly rural poor families- may be either traditional surface water sources, rainwater harvesting techniques or some safe ground water source available in the nearby locality. Opting for a defluoridation technique should be the last choice. For nutritional supplementation our experience is that sahjana (Moringa oleifera)- its leaves, seeds and sticks- are rich in all the nutritional components (Calcium, Iron, Vitamins, Antioxidants etc.) required for fluorosis patients. Its inclusion in the daily meal items of the fluorosis patients have been found to be highly effective in mitigating the suffering of fluorosis patients and promoting their health conditions.

Keywords

  • Fluoride safe water
  • Moringa oleifera body parts
  • Nutritional Supplementation
  • Rainfed dam water
  • Traditional and sustainable methods

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