Fluorosis in Gujarat - a disaster ahead: a study by Carewater

This study by Carewater highlights the problem of increasing cases of Fluorosis through fluoride contaminated groundwater in North Gujarat and its misdiagnosis as Musculo-skeletal disease, which could precipitate into a severe health problem in the coming years.

The paper describes the findings of a study conducted in 25 villages in North Gujarat and aims at understanding the social cost of fluoride contamination of the groundwater in the state. The study aimed at understanding the burden of fluorosis experienced by the afflicted in terms of:

• Costs  incurred in treating the disease
• Loss of productivity and output suffered
• Costs incurred to save the family from disease
• Awareness about fluorosis and quality of water among the people
• Affordability to get good quality water

The study found that the people from this study location had a very poor awareness about ‘quality’ of water and also had poor information about the availability of fluoride-free or de-mineralized water. Even in cases where it was available, poor affordability prevented them from purchasing safe drinking water.

The study made the following suggestions:

• To create awareness about good and safe water among the villagers
• Provide less expensive water filters for de-fluoridation at homes
• Motivate villagers to organise Cooperative captive plant
• Motivate the government to erect a defluoridaion plant in the village
• Introduce mechanisms to reduce fluoride from the groundwater
• Support and devise rehabilitation mechanisms for the affected

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