Abstract

DEFLUORIDATION OF WATER BY NATURAL ADSORBENTS –A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW

*Wasnik Vidya and Patrikar V. G.

Abstract

Introduction: In india the most common cause of fluorosis is high fluoride content in drinking water. Water derived from the borewells and Wells which dug deep into the earth mostly contain the high concentration of fluoride and if the concentration of fluoride exceeds 2 ppm (part per million) it causes dental or skeletal fluorosis which is now became a worldwide problem. Various techniques have been tried to defluoridate the water i.e. Coagulation, Adsorption, Precipitation, reverse osmosis and electrodyalysis. There are some Indian medicinal plants which may have the property as bicarbon absorbent for fluoride. Aim: This study was aimed to review and study the literature about defluoridation of water and to find out the effect of herbal medicinal plants as a natural adsorbent in reducing the fluoride content of water. Material and Methods: The literature about water purification techniques and defluoridation of water was studied. The studies related to defluoridation of water with the help of natural sources like plants have been critically evaluated. Different defluoridation techniques i.e Ion exchange, Precipitation and Adsorption technique have been reviewed. Result: Vetiver root, Tamarind seed, clove these are the commonly used medicinal plant in India have the property as a bicarbon absorbent for fluoride. Drumstick i.e. Moringa oleifera, also plays an important role in reducing the fluoride content of water. Conclusion: Plants plays an important role in reducing the fluoride content of water and thereby provide a domestic and inexpensive way to defluoridate water and helpful for the prevention of Fluorosis.

Keywords: Dental Fluorosis, Defluoridation, Vetiver root Tamarind seed, Drumstick etc.