Fluor in public drinking waters of the province of Zamora

Abstract

The influence of fluor intake on dental caries prevention is a known fact, and it is advisable that in those areas with a fluor content of less than 0.7 ppm (mg/l) supplementary programmes be initiated. Due to the lack of complete and updated data on public drinking waters in the province of Zamora we decided to analize its fluor content to be able to establish definite sanitary and nutritional recommendations. We studied 476 samples of public drinking waters in the province of Zamora collected in plastic containers by public health pharmacists, during the winter months of 1992. The fluor content was determined by the official reference techniche (Fluor Specific Electrode, R.D. 1138/1190 of 14th of september, BOE 20th of september 1990). Most samples show low fluor levels, less than 0.7 ppm (89.9 %), almost all under 0.3 ppm (77.9 %). The concentration in the capital is 0.24 ppm. The global average is 0.306 ± 0.55 ppm (range 0.011 - 6.13). Values over 1.2 ppm were found in 5.4 % of the samples. In general the fluor content of the waters in most of the province of Zamora, including the most important population nuclei, is deficient. We should therefore recommend daily oral supplements of fluor during childhood where water fluoration programmes are lack. The 26 samples with levels over 1.2 ppm correspond to areas with risk of endemic cronic fluorosis. We should advise against the continious use of those waters during childhood.