The Global Challenge of Fluoride Contamination: A Comprehensive Review of Removal Processes and Implications for Human Health and Ecosystems

Vivek Mariappan Santhi (), Diwahar Periasamy, Muthumari Perumal, Prasanth Morkondan Sekar, Varalakshmi Varatharajan, Dhandapani Aravind, Krishnasamy Senthilkumar, Sundaresan Thirumalai Kumaran, Saood Ali (), Subramanipillai Sankar, Nivetha Vijayakumar, Charubala Boominathan and Ragulasangeerthian Suresh Krishnan
Additional contact information
Vivek Mariappan Santhi: Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, Tamil Nadu, India
Diwahar Periasamy: Department of Plastic Technology, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, Chennai 600 032, Tamil Nadu, India
Muthumari Perumal: Department of Biotechnology, P.S.R Engineering College, Sivakasi 626 140, Tamil Nadu, India
Prasanth Morkondan Sekar: Department of Plastic Technology, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, Chennai 600 032, Tamil Nadu, India
Varalakshmi Varatharajan: Department of Biotechnology, P.S.R Engineering College, Sivakasi 626 140, Tamil Nadu, India
Dhandapani Aravind: University Science Instrumentation Centre, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021, Tamil Nadu, India
Krishnasamy Senthilkumar: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, Coimbatore 641 062, Tamil Nadu, India
Sundaresan Thirumalai Kumaran: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, Coimbatore 641 062, Tamil Nadu, India
Saood Ali: School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280, Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
Subramanipillai Sankar: Department of Chemical Engineering, Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641 032, Tamil Nadu, India
Nivetha Vijayakumar: Department of Chemical Engineering, Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641 032, Tamil Nadu, India
Charubala Boominathan: Department of Chemical Engineering, Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641 032, Tamil Nadu, India
Ragulasangeerthian Suresh Krishnan: Department of Chemical Engineering, Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641 032, Tamil Nadu, India

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-26

Abstract: Water resources are vital for humanity, but their quality has degraded in recent years due to increasing industrial activities. One significant issue is fluoride contamination, prevalent worldwide. Fluorides exist in combined states such as calcium fluoride, fluorapatite, and cryolite, originating from industrial processes like aluminum and fertilizer manufacturing. The World Health Organization warns against fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/L in drinking water due to health risks, including dental and skeletal fluorosis. Industrial activities also release fluoride-containing wastes into the environment, endangering ecosystems and human health. Overexposure to fluoride leads to disorders affecting organs including the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Despite fluoride’s benefits in controlled doses, excessive intake causes health problems, as evidenced by rising dental fluorosis cases in Brazil. Thus, effective and affordable fluoride removal strategies are crucial. Various methods exist, including adsorption, membrane technology, ion exchange process, electrodialysis, and electrocoagulation. Regulation of fluoride levels in drinking water is imperative to safeguard public health from its detrimental long-term effects.

Keywords: fluoride removal; adsorption; membrane technology; ion exchange process; electrodialysis; electrocoagulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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