Fluoride Levels in Groundwater Exceed Safe Limits in 28 Telangana Districts: Report

Speedy Summary:

• Groundwater Fluoride Contamination: Over 36% of Indian districts now have fluoride levels in groundwater higher than the permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L, increasing from 207 districts in 2017 to 263 in 2023, according to the National Ground Water Report.
• Health Impacts: Excess fluoride can cause waterborne fluorosis, dental adn skeletal fluorosis, staining of tooth enamel, spinal stiffness, and restricted movement at higher concentrations (5.0-10 mg/L).
• Affected States:

– Rajasthan has the highest affected districts (31) followed by Telangana with anomalous levels across 28 out of its 33 districts.
– Other severely impacted states include Haryana (23.66%), Karnataka (17.68%), Gujarat (13.92%), Punjab (13.77%), Andhra Pradesh (11.31%).

• Main causes: Groundwater over-extraction due to deep borewells and increased water stress is driving fluoride contamination; excessive extraction concentrates chemical residues like fluoride.
• Seasonal Impact: Post-monsoon recharge dilutes fluoride concentration; sample percentages exceeding permissible limits dropped from pre-monsoon values-9.14% nationally reduced to 7.74%, while in Telangana it fell from 20% pre-monsoon to 15.49%.

Source attributes contamination primarily to anthropogenic factors coupled with regional overexploitation trends.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The alarming rise in groundwater fluoride contamination highlights a critical environmental and public health challenge for india as population growth drives unsustainable water extraction practices across states like Rajasthan,Telangana,Punjab,and Haryana-regions already vulnerable due to chronic water stress conditions.

The report draws attention towards severe health risks posed by high fluoride exposure that can affect millions living across affected areas and impair their daily quality of life through debilitating diseases like skeletal or dental fluorosis if left unchecked.

Monsoon recharge offers temporary relief but does not negate long-term consequences unless systemic measures emphasizing groundwater conservation emerge backed stronger treatment infra-model disaster reliance-read-level Key carefully toezicht clarified above!