HEALTH HAZARDS OF FLUORIDE AS RELATED TO ETHIOPIA: A REVIEW OF SOME RELEVANT ISSUES FOR PREVENTIVE APPROACHES

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the 23 countries in the world with excessive fluoride concentration in
drinking ground waters in many rural communities. While the majority of these communities are
located in the rift valley, some of them are found dispersed in the surrounding highlands.
Consistent with the presence of high-fluoride in drinking water, clinical findings have provided
evidence for increased incidences of dental and skeletal fluorosis. However, despite observations
of many other health effects of fluoride elsewhere, no attempts have been made to
describe/assess these effects in the context of the Ethiopian situation. In addition, there are no
comprehensive accounts on fluoride that have broad implications for a multidimensional
approach for prevention and/or treatment of its toxicities in Ethiopia. The present paper reviews
the biological mechanisms responsible for the action of fluoride with regard to dental and
skeletal fluorosis, the factors that may be involved in the body’s handling of fluoride, other
chronic health effects of fluoride, and preventive measures that can be taken to mitigate the
adverse effects of fluoride resulting from consumption of contaminated drinking water. While
some attempts have been made in Ethiopia to tackle some of the problems of fluoride with the
provision of low-fluoride drinking water, no significant sustainable success has been achieved.
A better understanding and appreciation of the complex nature of the problem of fluoride by all
stakeholders, coupled with a more comprehensive and feasible approach of prevention are vital
for achieving desirable results. Aspects believe to be crucial for these considerations are
particularly highlighted in the current review.