HYGIENIC ANALYSIS OF FLUORIDE CONTENT IN DRINKING WATER IN SOME SETTLEMENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Objectives. The increased fluoride content in drinking water sources, in many settlements of the Republic of Moldova, indicates an endemic situation in the country. In settlements where fluoride exceeds the normative limit, the population suffers from dental fluorosis and osteofluorosis, affecting also the endocrine and nervous systems. The aim of the paper is to analyze the fluoride content in drinking water sources and highlight the endemic fluorosis districts in the Republic. Materials and methods. A descriptive epidemiological study of prevalence was performed. Data were presented by arithmetic means (M) ± standard deviation (m). The data of the fluoride content, taken from the registers of the sanitary-hygienic laboratories of the Public Health Centers, during the years 2010-2017 were processed and analyzed. The following districts were selected: Ungheni, Rîșcani, Ceadîr-Lunga, Edineț, Orhei, Fălești, Ștefan Vodă, water samples were taken from decentralized sources. Results. Analyzing the water samples, the following fluoride values ​​were detected in different districts of the republic: Ungheni – 1.97 ± 0.05 mg / l (min – 1.6; max – 4.4); Riscani – 0.72 ± 0.02 (0.01; 4.0); Ceadâr-Lunga – 1.13 ± 0.06 (0.05; 9.4); Edineț – 0.81 ± 0.01 (1.6; 4.4); Orhei – 0.75 ± 0.01 (0.05; 2.2); Fălești – 0.99 ± 0.05 (0.09; 16.2); Ștefan Vodă – 1.44 ± 0.06 (0.02; 8.5). The maximum fluoride limit was exceeded in all districts surveyed. Conclusions. In the Republic of Moldova there are districts where the fluoride concentration essentially exceeds the normative limit. Increased concentrations are observed in the average values ​​of the water samples, and in the unitary ones.