Health risk assessment of fluoride in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Shaanxi Province / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the health risk of fluoride in rural drinking water in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis(referred to as drinking-water-borne fluorosis) areas of Shaanxi Province, and to provide scientific basis for the formulation of water improvement and fluoride reduction measures.Methods:The fluoride monitoring results of rural drinking water in Guanzhong Plain and Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi in drinking-water-borne fluorosis areas of Shaanxi Province in 2020 were collected from the "National Drinking Water Quality and Sanitation Monitoring Information System". Using the health risk assessment method recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the level of fluoride exposure of adults in fluorosis areas through drinking water was evaluated, and the health risk value was calculated.Results:A total of 4 342 rural drinking water samples from drinking-water-borne fluorosis areas were monitored. The overall compliance rate of fluoride in water quality was 95.39% (4 142/4 342), and the fluoride content median was 0.470 mg/L; the health risk value was 0.368, and the non-carcinogenic risk was low. A total of 200 water samples with fluoride exceeding the standard were detected, and the fluoride content median was 1.450 mg/L; the health risk value of the fluoride excess water samples was 1.135, indicating a high non-carcinogenic risk. There were significant differences in fluoride content in rural drinking water between different regions, water sources and treatment methods ( H = - 7.73, - 7.60, 34.40, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The non-carcinogenic risk of fluoride exposure of adults in drinking-water-borne fluorosis areas through drinking water in Shaanxi Province is relatively low, and the non-carcinogenic risk caused by water samples with excessive fluoride is relatively high. In the future, it is necessary to continue to promote the comprehensive prevention and control measures focusing on improving water and reducing fluoride.