author(s)
Dr. Anjani Rani

abstract
Fluoride is ubiquitously present in the environment. Thus problem related to fluoride toxicity has become a major issue all over the world, as its level in water, soil and air is gradually getting higher due to urbanization and modernization. Fluoride level in drinking water has now increased more than the maximum desirable level prescribed by W.H.O. studies. Fluoride is one of a wide spread crippling scourge all over the world. Its ingestion in drinking water causes skeletal as well as dental flourosis. In India, the most seriously affected states are Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Maharashtra. Excessive concentration of fluoride is not only seriously affecting the human health but it also causes a serious problem to the aquatic ecosystem. Fresh water ecosystem is affected due to low concentration of magnesium and calcium ion, which combine with fluoride ions to form their salts of fluorides, which is less toxic in comparison to free fluoride ions. Excessive ingestion of fluoride accumulates and damages organs like liver, kidney, gills and other vital organs.