Determination of Fluoride in Gravity Feed System Water and Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Fluoride among Indigenous People in Sungai Mas, Pahang

Abstract

Introduction: To determine fluoride levels in gravity feed system water of Sungai Mas Village in Sungai Lembing, Kuantan, and its related potential health risk due to fluoride exposure from drinking water among adult indigenous people in the area. Methods: Adults who have lived in Sungai Mas Village, Pahang, for more than one year and use gravity feed system water as a drinking water source were selected as respondents. A set of questionnaires was used to determine socio-demographic and information on gravity feed system water usage among the respondents. A handheld Fluoride low-range (LR) Color-imeter and a portable pH meter were used to measure fluoride levels and pH in water samples, respectively. A body weight scale was used to measure the weight of respondents. Results: A total of 80 indigenous people in Sungai Mas Village were chosen as respondents. From 80 water samples col-lected, 98.75% had fluoride lower than the Malaysian National Standard for Drinking Water Quality’s permissible level (0.4 – 0.6 mg/L), while 1.25% had a fluoride level within the said level. Fluoride ranged from 0.10 to 0.41 mg/L, while pH ranged from 7.67 to 8.20, meaning 100% of the water samples had pH within the permissible level. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was less than 1 (HQ < 1). Conclusion: Water samples in the study area had low natural fluoride, which is insufficient to eradicate dental caries. Meanwhile, the value of the hazard quotient suggests that adults in Sungai Mas Village may not be at risk of developing dental and skeletal fluorosis.