Geochemical characterization of fluoride and its relationship with the prevalence of enamel fluorosis in children in four municipalities of the department of Huila (Colombia)

Abstract

Fluoride is an element that affects teeth and bone formation in animals and humans. Though the use of fluoride is an evidence-based caries preventive measure, excessive ingestion can impair tooth development, mainly the mineralization of tooth enamel, leading to a condition known as enamel fluorosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the prevalence of enamel 2 fluorosis in children and the geochemical characterization of fluoride in four sentinel municipalities of the department of Huila, Colombia (Pitalito, Altamira, El Agrado and Rivera). The concentration of fluoride in drinking water, table salt, rocks and active sediment was evaluated by means of an ion selective electrode. Geochemical analyses were performed using X-Ray fluorescence. These revealed fluoride concentrations under 15 mg/kg in soil, rocks, and active sediment samples, not indicative of a significant delivery to the watersheds studied. The concentration of fluoride in table salt was found to be under the inferior limit (180-220 μg/g) established by the Colombian regulations. Likewise, exposure doses for fluoride water intake did not exceed the recommended total dose for all ages from 6 months. Although the evidence does not point out at rocks, soils, fluoride-bearing minerals, fluoridated salt and water, the hypothesis of these elements as responsible of the prevalence of enamel fluorosis cannot be discarded since, aqueducts might have been undergone significant changes overtime.