Exposure to High Levels of Fluoride in the Ground Water of the Ethiopian Rift Valley Results In Lower Extremity Skeletal Fluorosis & Neuropathy

High concentrations of fluoride in the ground water of the Ethiopian Rift Valley results in lower extremity skeletal fluorosis & neuropathy. It has been noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a guideline maximum fluoride exposure value of 1.5mg/L in consumed drinking water. However, in the Ethiopian Rift Valley ground water fluoride levels far exceed these sanctions. The water ingested by the people of certain Ethiopian communities contains levels considered toxic to human health. The Rift Valley is of particular concern because of the substantial geothermal activity in the ground water. Thus affecting nearby lakes, hot springs, and rivers.

Chronic exposure of high levels of fluoride has been shown to manifest as skeletal fluorosis (SF). SF is a crippling pathological condition in which accumulation of fluoride in bones results in a bone structure metamorphosis characterized by increased bone density. If high fluoride intake persists over a long duration of time joint stiffness, pain, calcification of ligaments, and lower extremity neuropathy may ensue. Lastly, this paper describes defluoridation techniques, implementation tactics, and future recommendations of medical and education outreach are presented.