Determination of Fluoride Content of Selected Brands of Bottled Water Sold in Lafia Town using Two Different Methods

Abstract

Fluoride is a well known compound for preventing dental caries, and its major root of ingestion is potable water. In this research, fluoride concentration in five brands of bottled-water samples sold in Lafia city (A, B, C, D and E) was investigated. Five different batches of each brand were analyzed. Samples were determined via potentiometric, and photometric methods. The mean concentration of fluoride within the investigated samples, were of the range 0.30 – 0.44 mg/L which were below WHO recommended limit, except sample B (0.53 mg/L) which was within the recommended limit. In the photometric method, the concentrations of the samples were within the range of 0.51 – 0.88 mg/L which were within WHO recommended limit. The outcome of this research suggests that within areas where there is elevated content of fluoride in water, bottled-water should be consumed instead of tap water because the former minimizes the danger of fluorosis. However, people who majorly drink bottled-water maybe at higher risk of dental caries; and need to take fluoride supplements. In this study, concentration of fluoride determined by photometric method was significantly higher than that of ISE method (P<0.05). Hence, photometric method was more sensitive than the ISE method.