Abstract

This study focuses on determining the concentration of fluoride in groundwater and estimating the fluoride exposure through drinking water of three different age-groups for residents in Tay Son district, Binh Dinh province. A total of 50 well-water samples were collected and 220 people were surveyed by questionnaire from 50 households at 3 communes: Tay Phu, Binh Tuong, Tay Giang of Tay Son district. Results of this study showed that fluoride concentrations in well-water varied from 0.31 mg/L to 7.69 mg/L (mean 2.66 mg/L, SD: 2.18 mg/L) with 70% of the well-water samples above the maximum permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L (QCVN 09:2008/BTNMT). Groundwater in the studied area is seriously contaminated with fluoride. Exposure of fluoride among three age-groups was calculated according to the guidance of United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The maximum estimated exposure doses of 0.721 mg/kg/day in the age-group of below 6 year, 0.530 mg/kg/day in the age-group between 6 and 12 years and 0.320 mg/kg/day in the age-group above 12 year exceed the LOAEL value of 0.1 mg/kg/day (WHO, 1984). A health risk due to fluorosis to the people in Tay Son district has become an evidence.