Health risk assessment of water fluoride in rural schools in drinking-water fluorosis areas in Shaanxi Province / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the health risks of fluoride in drinking water in rural schools in drinking-water fluorosis areas in Shaanxi Province, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating measures to prevent fluoride and improve water quality. Methods The drinking water of rural schools in Guanzhong and northern Shaanxi Province was monitored from 2017 to 2020. The fluoride concentration was evaluated in accordance with the “Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water” (GB5749-2006). The health risk assessment method recommended by USEPA was used to assess the health risk of rural students exposed to fluoride through drinking water in the two regions. Results A total of 2 826 water samples were monitored from 2017 to 2020. The overall compliance rate of fluoride in water quality was 92.29%, with an average concentration of 0.500 mg/L. The non-carcinogenic health risk of fluoride in drinking water in rural schools in drinking-water fluorosis areas was 0.05). In the same age group, the non-carcinogenic health risk of fluoride in groundwater was higher than that in surface water (P sedimentation filtration > conventional treatment > untreated (P < 0.05). Conclusion The non-carcinogenic risk of oral intake of fluoride in drinking water from rural schools in drinking-water fluorosis areas in Shaanxi Province is still at an acceptable level. In the future, it is necessary to continue to promote comprehensive prevention and treatment measures focusing on water improvement and fluoride reduction.