Positive impact of consumption of fluoride safe potable water together with moringa leaf powder on fluorosis patients of some habitations of Rajauli block, Nawada, Bihar

Present study reports survey on health status of fluorosis patients from fluorosis endemic three neighbouring habitations - Kachhariadih, Muslimtola and Hanumannagar of Hardiya Panchayat, Rajauli, Nawada, Bihar. The study has been conducted in two phases. First phase study was conducted from November 2017 to December 2019 when the people from these fluorosis endemic habitations consumed fluoride contaminated groundwater for drinking and cooking purpose. Second phase study covers the period from January 2020 onwards till the date of submitting this research paper. On 18.12.2019 fluoride safe treated dam water was started from rainfed Phulwariadam under Multiple Village Piped Water Supply (MVWS) scheme conducted from PHED, Govt. of Bihar campus, Hanumannagar, Hardia. Under this scheme fluorosis endemic 100 habitations of Rajauli Block covering a population of over 85,000 are being supplied fluoride safe potable water. Our study habitations are covered under this scheme. Supply of fluoride safewater is coupled with use of moringa leaf powder as nutritional supplement to the fluorosis patients of the study area. The first phase study revealed that all the three types of fluorosis – dental, skeletal and non-skeletal-were widely prevalent in the people of study area. Analysis of all their drinking water sources showed fluoride concentration from 1.8 ppm to 8.7 ppm being higher than maximum permissible limits of 1.5 ppm. In rainfed dam water it was 0.6 ppm. During second phase study which is still going on fluorosis patients have expressed gradual relief in body pain and stiffness of body parts, improved digestion system etc. Decreasing fluoride concentration in their urine sample after interventions is also an indicator of success of the mitigation measures.