Investigation on Fluoride Concentration in Well Water and Its Health Implications: A Case Study of Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Abuja

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
H. Solihu 1
I. Abdulraheem 2
S. O. Bilewu 3
A. G. Adeogun 1
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kwara State University, Malete, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Abuja, P.M.B. 117, Abuja, Nigeria
3 Department of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
10.22034/jaert.1.3.15
Abstract
This study focuses on determining the concentration of fluoride ions in selected hand-dug wells and investigating its health implications in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The necessity for this investigation arose from observed health issues, including dental and skeletal fluorosis among the residents in the area. Fifteen sampling points (well water sources) were chosen in the study area, and a total of forty-five samples (three per sampling point) were collected. The calorimetric water quality analysis method was employed to analyze these samples in the laboratory. Additionally, the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method was used to generate a spatial variation map for fluoride ion concentration using ArcMap. The results indicate a concentration range of 0.122 mg/L to 1.910 mg/L across the study area. When compared with the recommendations for fluoride ion concentration in the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) for drinking water (0.1 – 1.0 mg/L), approximately 67% of the sampling points (10 out of 15) fall within the recommended values, while 33% fall outside. The areas with higher fluoride ion concentrations include Dupa 1, Dupa 2, Tunga Maje 1, Tunga Maje 2, and Old Kutunku 2. The study concludes that the observed dental and skeletal fluorosis in these areas can be attributed to the consumption of water with high fluoride concentrations. Consequently, the study recommends increased attention from both local and federal authorities to provide potable water for human consumption in these areas to address the associated health challenges.

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Journal of Advanced Environmental Research and Technology
Volume 1, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
September 2023
Pages 15-23