Fluorosis in Nalgonda District.

About Fluorosis:

Fluorosis is a disease caused due to ingestion of excess fluoride, most commonly in drinking-water, which affects the teeth and bones. Moderate amounts lead to dental effects, but long-term ingestion of large amounts can lead to potentially severe skeletal problems. Paradoxically, low levels of fluoride intake help to prevent dental caries. The control of drinking-water quality is therefore critical in preventing fluorosis. The condition and its effect on people Fluorosis is caused by excessive intake of fluoride. The dental effects of fluorosis develop much earlier than the skeletal effects in people exposed to large amounts of fluoride. Clinical dental fluorosis is characterized by staining and pitting of the teeth. In more severe cases all the enamel may be damaged.

Fluorosis in Nalgonda:

There are three kinds of water sources available namely rainwater, surface water and ground water. Rainwater is clean and ideal for drinking and cooking. Since rainfall is uneven storage becomes a major problem. Large storage reservoirs are needed which are very expensive to build and maintain. Rainwater harvesting in bunds and tanks will help in keeping ground water levels higher. Surface water sources are tanks, dams, canals and rivers. The fluoride content of Nagarjunasagar reservoir and its canals is low and suitable for drinking and cooking since the fluoride content ranges between 0.4-0.5 PPM. Tank waters are usually contaminated with biological and chemical pollutants. Such water should not be used without treatment and disinfection. Fluoride content of tank water is higher than rainwater and is in the range of 1.4 PPM. Rivers are not perennial and their fluoride content varies from 1.0 PPM in Alair vagu to 7 PPM in stream near Sivannagudem. It is surprising that fluoride content river waters in Nalgonda like Peda Vagu, Chandur Vagu, Chinnakaparthi stream, Kodabakshupalli vagu etc are higher and are not suitable for drinking.
Ground water sources are wells and boreholes. Fluoride content of well water can vary greatly depending on the geological structure of the aquifer and the depth at which water is drawn. The fluoride content is unevenly distributed in ground water both vertically and horizontally and hence every sample has to be tested before use. The fluoride content of granite rocks in Nalgonda varies between 325 to 3200 PPM with a mean of 1440 PPM. The fluoride content of soils in this district varies between 28 to1780 PPM. The fluoride content of ground waters in Nalgonda ranges between 0.4 to 20 PPM. The reasons adduced for this high level of fluoride in ground waters of this district are the low calcium content of rocks and soils and the presence of high levels of bicarbonate in soils and waters. Borehole content of fluoride is even higher and they may have abnormal concentrations of trace elements and hence may not be suitable for drinking. If all the sources of waters in the region are not suitable for use one has to consider defluoridation of waters to reduce its fluoride content. The experience with the use of defluoridation plants was not satisfactory in the past. Part of the problem may be poor maintenance due to lack of skilled help and also the cost. The majority of these plants clogs up after sometime and become ineffective in lowering the fluoride content of the water in the long run. Adding alum as done in Nalgonda technique may not be ideal because aluminum is being incriminated in the causation of Alzeimers disease in the west.
Among the three sources of water best is rainwater followed by Nagarjunasagar water supply through canals. Majority of ground waters in this endemic regions are not suitable for human consumption.

Preventing fluorosis:

*Supply clean and floride-free water from canalas/rivers like, Nagarjunasagar.
*Install deflorination water treatment plants in all villages, schools/colleges, public/private offices, and so on.
*Thorough medical checkup.
*Keep environment clean.
*DO NOT let the ground water polluted from external checmicals.

Fight against Fluorosis in Nalgonda:

Though many regional socail welfare organizations and other organizations from round the world are fighting to educate governments and the local people about FLUOROSIS, the damage rate is still raising.

High Court ordered to supply clean and floride-free drinking water to the high-hit areas like Nalgonda in 2001. A division bench of the AP High Court comprising chief justice SB Sinha and justice VVS Rao on 24 Aug 2001 directed supply of drinking water in water tankers to fluorosis-affected parts of Nalgonda district. In a 20-page order, the bench disposed of a writ petition filed by PR Subash Chander. The petitioner complained of failure on the part of the government in providing proper drinking water for the residents of Nalgonda district. Senior counsel s Ramachandra Rao pointed out that the permissible percentage of fluorine in water was between 0.5 to 0.8% but water in Nalgonda had a high percentage of fluorine ranging from 10 to 13%. He successfully argued before the bench that any further delay in arresting the consumption of such water would be a serious violation of the right to life guaranteed under the constitution. “The role of the state to provide every citizen with adequate, clean drinking water and to protect water from getting polluted is not only a fundamental directive principle in the governance of the state but is also a right under article 21 of the constitution of india,” the bench said. The directions issued by the court include consideration by the government of the feasibility of concentrating on mandals where the problem is more acute; free special medical care to all those afflicted with fluorosis free of cost; involving non-governmental organisations like society for integrated development in urban and rural areas and sri satya sai institute of higher learning; educating people about use of ground water and if necessary, taking steps to close down borewells where the problem of fluorosis is endemic and consider feasibility of evacuating the people from affected villages to safer places.

A.B.N.Rao and A.H.Siddiqui, have posted articles on fluorosis to influence government and welfare organizations.

Govt aids to fluorosis victims in Nalgonda:

On 10 Sept 2004, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr.YS Rajashekhar Reddy gave an assurance to the fluorosis-affected people of Nalgonda district that the Government would tap all sources to mobilise Rs. 600 crores required for providing fluoride-free drinking water for them. He also announced a pension scheme for those crippled by the disease.

Past state and central governments assured to adopt the floride-effected Nalgonda district, and relieve the people from fluorosis. Not all kept their words.

Important links:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1981710&pageindex=1

http://fluorosisinandhra.org/faqs_page.htm

National Highway-9, gateway of accidents.

The National Highway between Hyderabad and Vijayawada is the gateway between Telangana and Costal Andhra regions. Though part of the road was converted into 4 lanes with divider separating two directions of traffic, most of the length is left behind with two lanes only. The road between Thoopranpet village and Kodad, in Nalgonda district, which is about 130 KMS stretch, is pending to expand. This length of the road has only two lanes for the traffic moving in both the directions. There is no divider either. This road is the cause of most accidents in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh.

On 3rd April, 08, there were 7 deaths on this highway in 3 different incidents. All these 7 victims are the family heads. Now their families are abonded. The traffic in recent years has tripled on this route, but the road is the same. In fact, the condition of it is even worst, both on and off the road. This road hasn't got blessings either from the current or past governments. Though there is an MP and few MLAs who represent cabinet berths for key portfolios in the central and state cabinets, the developments are moving at sloth-pace. When a leader pass-by, their convoy will be headed with a police jeep with siren and two police men hanging out of the jeep, waving their ‘laati’ to clear the road. Even heavy vehicles have to get off the road, otherwise have to taste police’s laati. What about ordinary people?

Besides the width and divider issues, the road has too many narrow curves, causing danger to the moving vehicles and lives of the people. There are about 2 feet pit holes on the roadsides, and up to one-foot holes on the road. There is no public safety for travelers on this road. On an average one accidental death, and another injury is recorded on this road every day, only between Thoopranpet and Kodad. Thousands of families are abandoned and millions are injured in the history of this road. I know dozens of families that were thrown on roads just because their primary family supporter was killed on this road, or injured. There are few families, who happen to live a decent life earlier, are now on roads begging in the streets and bus stops, due to damage caused by an accident. Besides, road condition, the heavy vehicles move so recklessly that they don’t care about other vehicles. Two wheelers are like insects to these heavy vehicles. They have to get off the road or die. Had if the road is wide, then most of the accidents would not occur, and with divider separating two directions, the accident rate could be brought down to rare occurrences.

Many NRI's (Non Resident Indians') families reside by this highway. Ever time we read news about an accident on this road, our pulse rate raise, and blood pressure shoots-up. We wrote many letters to the present and past governments and officials, but in vein. We should demand every political party to stand-by this issue, and put efforts to start road widning work.

Government should also educate about traffic sense, and should be followed everywhere by everyone. Whenever any vehicle is for repair while moving, the drivers just stop the vehicle on the road itself, and fence with small stones. There won’t be any precautions. Sometimes during night, other vehicles assume that it’s moving, or doesn’t realize that it’s static, will hit from behind. When these vehicles are repaired and ready to go, they just move away, leaving the stones on the road itself. Some vehicles carry heavy items that some items hang out of the trucks, and cause hazard to others. Sometimes, accidents occur because of animals. Govt should take precaution to fence or, somehow keep animals away from high ways. This highway has become a great danger to lives in all forms. I request every human being to put every possible effort to make this road wide, and put an end to these accidents.

Vijay Gummi