STATUS OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY AND SURVEY OF DENTAL FLUOROSIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AT SELECTED VILLAGES OF DHARMAPURI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

摘要

Samples from bore wells used for drinking purpose of ten selected villages of Pennegaram Taluk, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu were analysed for physico-chemical characteristics of water samples by adopting standard methods. TDS, EC and turbidity were found to be high in many of the samples and pH was found to be slightly alkaline, All mions and cations were found to full within the range of permissible limits except fluoride (1.5 to 1.7 mg/l). Majority of the water samples arc chemically not potable as the alkalinity and total hardness exceed the desirable limits(200 mg/l). After the survey, percentage of occurrence of dental fluorosis was found to be less in Hogcnakkal (12.3%) and high in Halepuram (58 %) which coincides with the high fluoride content in respective areas (1.0& 1.5 mg/l).