The drinking water in Nagpur District along with Bhandara, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Washim districts in Vidarbha has been found with alarming level of 6 to 9 mg fluoride. According to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the fluoride level should not exceed 1.5 mg. Ignorance about fluoride contents is making the situation worse.
Nagpur News.
In a shocking expose, a survey has revealed that Nagpur district and other districts of Vidarbha have been flooded with fluoride-infested water and the subsequent outcome is showing a large number of people afflicted by the ugly fluorosis disease in the region.
Gold Rate
06 June 2025
The limitations of National Fluorosis Prevention and Control programme have themselves proved a bane rather a boon in preventing and controlling the disease. On the contrary, the measure boosted the rise of fluorosis cases. The indiscriminate exploration of water enormously increased the level of fluoride in ground water in deadly proportions. A total of around 230 districts in 19 States across the country have been in the grip of fluorosis with high level of fluoride toxic.
People have been poisoned by well water contaminated by excessive fluoride, which is dissolved from the granite rocks. The effects are particularly evident in the bone deformations of children. Children can suffer from permanent physical harm or disorders because of consumption of fluoride-infested water in high proportions.
The drinking water in Nagpur District along with Bhandara, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Washim districts in Vidarbha has been found with alarming level of 6 to 9 mg fluoride. According to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the fluoride level should not exceed 1.5 mg. Ignorance about fluoride contents is making the situation worse. In Maharashtra, apart from five districts of Vidarbha, other seven districts namely Nanded, Latur , Beed, Parbhani, Hingoli , Jalna, and Jalgaon are in the vice-like grip of fluorosis. Moreover, the fluorosis disorder is raising its ugly head in Akola, Amravati and Solapur districts but in very smaller magnitude. Although the National Fluorosis Prevention and Control programme was launched in Chandrapur, Nanded, Latur , Washim , Yavatmal and Beed districts in order to minimize effects of fluoride but lack of funds left the drive in the lurch and so the people residing in these districts.
The most affected parts in Vidarbha include 240 vileges of Chandrapur district and 454 villages in Yavatmal district. In other districts, the situation is no better. In some villages of Chandrapur district, “fluoride removal units”’ were installed by the Government but again, lack of funds stalled the crucial measure mid way. The “fluoride removal units” once installed on borewells the level of fluoride level in ground water decreases. Moreover, the Health Department of Maharashtra Government showed its utter negligence when it cancelled the posts of explorers created during implementation of National Fluorosis Prevention and Control. Now, the programme is being implemented by Primary Health Centres, the survey said.
The work of examination of fluorosis patients and analysis of water has come to standstill because of shortage of manpower. The subsequent outcome is the fluorosis disorders are taking the shape of a monster. Thousands of new cases are raising their ugly heads and thus warranting a fresh survey. Maharashtra is on the fourth position among the states facing fluoride water problem. Thousands of people are suffering from this disorder. Children are getting affected and the percentage of this disorder in young generation is a matter of concern. Teeth of patients, who are suffering from dental florists, become yellow. In many cases patient become completely unable to open his mouth. Skeletal disorders can also be caused because of this. There are many patients who can’t walk properly
Now, the need has arisen that measures on war-footing should be initiated to curb the spread of ugly fluorosis disorders.
