Spatial distribution and seasonal variation in fluoride enrichment in groundwater and its associated human health risk assessment in Telangana State, South India

Groundwater is a vital source of drinking water in Siddipet rural and urban regions of Central Telangana, South India and it is a major cause of fluoride toxicity in humans. The intake of elevated fluoride has a significant impact on human health, especially immediate problems that are seen in children's teeth. The primary aim of the study was to identify the seasonal variation in fluoride concentration and associated health risks in the residents of the study region. To assess the fluoride contamination in groundwater, a total of 158 samples were analyzed in two seasons. The mean concentrations of fluoride 1.26mg/L and 2.21mg/L were 1.46 and 2.8 times higher than the acceptable limit of 1.5mg/L, before and after monsoon respectively. To estimate the human health risks due to the ingestion of elevated fluoride through drinking water, hazard quotient fluoride (HQ(Fluoride)) was calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency method. HQ(Fluoride) values were 0.44-2.44 and 0.89-4.67 for children, 0.36-2.00 and 0.73-3.82 for females, and 0.41-2.26 and 0.82-4.31 for males in pre- and post-monsoon seasons respectively, suggesting emphatically greater risk than the acceptable limits (HQ(Fluoride) > 1), which generates health risks.