NHRC red flags excess fluoride in drinking water in 19 states

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission has asked the government to make a presentation before it on the gravity of problem in 14,132 habitations in 19 states, where drinking water has shown traces of fluorides above permissible levels. The ministry of health and family welfare reportedly believes a huge population was at risk of a very serious health condition such as skeletal fluorosis.Fluoride contamination also affects the teeth and bones and long-term excessive exposure causes abdominal pain, excessive saliva, nausea, vomiting, seizures and muscle spasms. The health ministry has urged the ministry of drinking water and sanitation to ensure the supply of safe drinking water in these habitats.
The commission has observed that it is a serious matter as it affects the citizens' right to health. It has asked the secretary, Union ministry of drinking water and sanitation to make a presentation on February 9 before it on the issue and steps taken by the central and various state governments to combat it.
The ministry of drinking water and sanitation has reportedly collated data, which reveals that Rajasthan has the highest number of such habitations (7,670), affecting over 48 lakh people people. Telangana has 1,174 such districts with over 19 lakh affected people. Karnataka has 1,122 such districts and Madhya Pradesh 1,055. Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh too face the problem.
The World Health Organization guideline value for fluoride is 1.5 mg per litre with a target of between 0.8 and 1.2 mg per litre to maximize benefits and minimize harmful effects. Levels above 10 mg per litre may cause the crippling skeletal fluorosis.