Abstract

CUELLAR LUNA, Liliam et al. Spatial distribution of fluoride supply sources of groundwater in four provinces of Cuba. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2012, vol.50, n.3, pp.365-379. ISSN 1561-3003.

ntroduction: high concentrations of fluoride in drinking water can cause adverse health effects, however, optimal concentrations exert a protective effect against dental caries. Objective: to describe the spatial distribution of the concentrations of fluoride in water supply from underground sources of four provinces, possible seasonal variations and associations with some chemical elements. Methods: we measured fluoride and other chemicals in public groundwater supply sources in both seasons, analyzing the correlation with other chemical compounds. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for spatial analysis and was used GIS MapInfo Professional. Results: there were maps of the spatial distribution of fluoride concentrations at the level of towns and municipalities, identified 16 locations with fluoride levels above 0.7 mg / L in at least one of the two determinations; fluoride concentrations revealed differences significant wet and dry, showing correlations with temperature, total hardness, chlorides, calcium and sodium. Conclusions: in the vast majority of the sources the mean fluoride concentrations were assessed as low, supporting the relevance of maintaining the fluoridation program Salt Consumption in Cuba. Moreover, the finding of high concentrations of fluoride in some sources considered isolated, underlying the need to incorporate monitoring of fluoride levels in the Surveillance System Drinking Water Quality.

Keywords : fluoride; groundwater; spatial distribution; chemical compounds.

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