Investigation on Fluoride Concentration in Well Water and Its Health Implications: A Case Study of Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Abuja
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Date
2023-12-12
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Abstract
This study focuses on determining the concentration of fluoride
ions in selected hand-dug wells and investigating its health im
plications in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Ter
ritory, 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 for
ty-five samples (three per sampling point) were collected. The
calorimetric water quality analysis method was employed to an
alyze 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 com
pared 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 out
side. The areas with higher fluoride ion concentrations include
Dupa 1, Dupa 2, Tunga Maje 1, Tunga Maje 2, and Old Ku
tunku 2. The study concludes that the observed dental and skel
etal 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 fed
eral authorities to provide potable water for human consump
tion in these areas to address the associated health challenges