The Health Effects of Fluoride and Nitrate in Drinking Water in Tunceli (Türkiye)

Abstract

Fluoride (F⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) are among the most detected constituents in drinking water and should be continuously monitored due to their potential to pose significant and serious health risks. Both fluoride and nitrate play a critical role in supporting dental and skeletal health, with drinking water being one of the primary sources of daily intake. However, both insufficient and excessive intake of fluoride and nitrate may result in significant health concerns, particularly among children and adolescents. This study investigates fluoride concentrations in drinking water and assesses the corresponding non-carcinogenic health risks for different age groups in Tunceli Province, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. During the rainy season of 2021, a total of 18 water samples were collected. Fluoride and nitrate concentrations were analyzed using spectrophotometric techniques. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) values were calculated for infants, children, adolescents, and adults. The detected fluoride concentrations ranged between 0.06 and 0.31 mg/L, while nitrate concentrations varied from 0.45 to 64.38 ppm. Although all fluoride HQ values were below 1, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic risk, children were identified as the most susceptible group. In contrast, HQ values for nitrate exceeded 1 in infants and children, indicating considerable public health concern. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and the development of age-specific public health policies, particularly to minimize health risks associated with nitrate exposure.

Keywords

• Drink water
• Fluoride
• Health risk assessment
• Nitrate
• Tunceli

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