Full Title: Webinar: Fluoride in Groundwater (Part 2: Fluorosis Mitigation in Ethiopian Central Rift Valley)
Fluor is an element abundant in nature. In the right quantities, it is essential for the development of teeth and bones. However, under specific conditions, the concentration of fluoride (F) in ground and surface water can exceed safety levels and becomes toxic for human health. This may lead to skeletal and/or dental fluorosis, two chronic biogeochemical diseases that occur in various countries around the world.
According to UNESCO, more than 200 million people worldwide rely on drinking water with fluoride levels exceeding the present World Health Organization (WHO) norm of 1.5 mg/l. The Ethiopian Central Rift Valley (ECRV) is one of the most affected areas with an estimated 8 million people potentially at risk of fluorosis. Due to its geology and climate, it suffers from some of world’s highest concentrations of fluoride, mainly in deep wells in the semi-arid parts.
This video is an excerpt from TheWaterChannel webinar held on may 02, 2014. Sara Datturi (MetaMeta) presents an overview of measures employed to minimize fluoride intake by Ethiopian Central Rift Valley communities who have little choice but to use Fluoride-rich groundwater sources for their water supply.
Watch other parts of the webinar:
Part 1: Genesis of Fluoride in Groundwater in Ethiopia- Dr Seifu Kebede
Part 3: Fluoride in Groundwater: The Underground Scourge
More info: http://upgro.org
Produced by: TheWaterChannel
Year: 2014
Language: English
Region: Ethiopia, Global
