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De-fluoridation of groundwater using magnesium oxide

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Abstract

Fluorosis, which severely affects teeth and bones, is one of the common water-related diseases listed by the World Health Organization. Fluorosis is caused by ingestion of groundwater containing fluoride in excess of 1.5 mg/l and is widespread in about 25 countries. As majority of fluorosis affected regions occur in arid or semi-arid regions of the world, de-fluoridation of the limited available water resource forms the viable solution. Though several methods of de-fluoridation have been proposed, only few are implemented in field. Further, the existing field methods have various limitations such as cost, efficiency, quality of treated water and disposal of byproducts of treatment. In search of a sustainable solution towards mitigating the fluorosis problem, a new method of de-fluoridation using magnesium oxide has been developed in laboratory. Present study addresses issues that will assist in successful implementation of the new de-fluoridation method in field, using a domestic de-fluoridation unit.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Science & Society Division from Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, New Delhi for supporting the technology development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India

    Mamatha Pemmaraju

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

    Sudhakar M. Rao

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  1. Mamatha Pemmaraju
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  2. Sudhakar M. Rao
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Correspondence to Mamatha Pemmaraju.

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Pemmaraju, M., Rao, S.M. De-fluoridation of groundwater using magnesium oxide. Environmentalist 31, 39–53 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-010-9299-0

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