Fluoride intake in children living in a high-fluoride area in Ethiopia - intake through beverages

Introduction. The present study was conducted in Wonji Shoa, a sugar estate in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Drinking water in the area is provided either by the Awash River or by high‐fluoride ground water wells. Defluoridation plants have been installed, but are not in regular use, and fluorosis, dental as well as skeletal, is endemic. The aim of this study was to assess daily fluoride intake from drinking water and beverages in children from neighbouring villages with varying fluoride concentration in the drinking water. Subjects and methods. Thirty families were selected from two of the plantation villages (A and K). The criterion for being included in the project was the presence in the household of at least one child, fully weaned and below the age of 5 years. For sampling of beverages, the duplicate portion technique was used. The fluoride concentration in the beverage samples was determined using standard methods, using a fluoride ion‐selective electrode. Results. Ten of the selected households in Village A fetched water from the Awash River (1·8 mg F−/L) while five relied upon water from a local well (2·1 mg F−/L). All 15 households in Village K used water from a local well with fluoride concentration of 14·4 mg/L. The mean daily fluoride intake from drinking water and beverages during the four days, varied from 1·2 to 1·5 mg and 5·9 to 8·8 mg in Village A and K, respectively. Low variety in types of beverages consumed was reported both during the study period and through the questionnaire. Only local water was used for beverage preparation. Children who consumed milk had a reduced fluoride intake. Tea, which was part of the children's diet, was not found to be a main source of fluoride. Conclusion. A2n effective defluoridation of the drinking water or a change of water source would seem to be the only options for avoidance of dental and possibly skeletal fluorosis.