Fluoride in Drinking-water

Fluoride is known to occur at elevated concentrations in a number of parts of the world where it can be a significant cause of disease. The primary focus of Fluoride in Drinking Water is the prevention of adverse health effects from excessive levels of fluoride in drinking water. The book fills the urgent need, identified for updating the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, for information on the occurrence of fluoride, its health effects, ways of reducing excess levels and methods for analysis of fluoride in water. The draft document, produced by a working group of experts convened to consider protection from fluoride and its control, was issued for extensive review and consultation. The resultant book, which incorporates the comments received, was further peer review by experts in developed and developing countries. It is aimed at a wide range of individuals, including health workers and sanitary engineers who may require a broad introduction to the subject with more detailed guidance in some specific areas. Fluoride in Drinking-water will be an invaluable reference source for all those concerned with the management of drinking-water containing fluoride and the health effects arising from its consumption, including water sector managers and practitioners as well as health sector staff at policy and implementation levels. It will also be of interest to researchers, students, and development workers and consultants. Contents Introduction Environmental occurrence, geochemistry and exposure Human health effects Guidelines and standards Removal of excessive fluoride Analytical methods Country data on dental and skeletal fluorosis associated with exposure to fluoride through drinking water Appendix: Indices of severity of dental fluorosis