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Fluoride which is naturally occurring in groundwater has a national drinking water limit of 1.50 milligrams/litre.
- Excessive fluoride can cause skeletal fluorosis, accelerate dental decay, and pose health risks, particularly for children.
Key findings on Fluoride Contamination
- States with above-permissible levels: Rajasthan (highest), Telangana, western Andhra Pradesh, eastern Karnataka, etc.
- Fluoride contamination is highest during the dry, summer pre-monsoon months.
- Arid regions, especially western India, showed higher contamination than humid areas.
Status of other groundwater contaminants in India
- Arsenic contamination : West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, etc constitute 90% of arsenic contamination in India.
- Uranium contamination: Found in around 12 states. E.g., Punjab.
- Iron contamination: States of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Assam, etc
- Other contaminants are antimony, cadmium, copper, barium, etc. All of them have adverse impact on human health like toxicity, hypertension, liver and kidney damage, etc.
Steps taken
- The legislative provisions: Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Environment Protection Act 1986 and The Water Cess Act, 1977.
- Groundwater recharged through rainwater harvesting: E.g., Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojna- watershed Development, Atal Bhujal Yojana, etc.
