Author/Authors :
Yari، Ahmad Reza نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran , , Nazari، Shahram نويسنده , , Mahvi، Amir Hossein نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health; National Institute of Health Research; Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute fo , , Majidi، Gharib نويسنده Qom University of Medical Sciences and Student Research Committee , , Alizadeh Matboo، Soudabeh نويسنده Ardabil University of Medical Sciences , , Fazlzadeh، Mehdi نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran ,
Abstract :
Background and Purpose: Fluoride is a natural element essential for human nutrition due to its
benefits for dental enamel. It is well-documented that standard amounts of fluoride in drinkingwater
can decrease the rate of dental caries. This study was conducted with the aim of measuring
fluoride concentration of drinking-water supplies and urban distribution system in Qom, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Results were subsequently compared against national and international
standards. All sources of drinking-water of rural and urban areas were examined. To measure
fluoride, the standard SPADNS method and a DR/4000s spectrophotometer were used.
Results: Results showed that the mean of fluoride concentration in rural areas, mainly supplied
with groundwater sources, was 0.41 mg/L, that of the urban distribution system 0.82 mg/L, that
of Ali-Abad station 0.11 mg/L, and that of the private water desalination system 0.24 mg/L. Due
to the hot climate of Qom, fluoride concentration means of all sources were lower than the
permissible standards set by Iranian Standards and the WHO guidelines (except those of some of
the groundwater sources and urban distribution systems).
Conclusion: It seems that in most of the drinking-water sources the average fluoride concentration is
not enough to prevent dental caries or strengthen dental enamel. It is concluded that Qom’s drinkingwater
would require at least 0.4 mg/L to reach the minimum desirable standard.
