Fluoride levels in drinking water and human urine in Kuching, Sarawak

Chen, Alex Foo Sen (2013) Fluoride levels in drinking water and human urine in Kuching, Sarawak. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text lp FPSK4 2013 16.pdf Download (25MB)

Abstract

Project paper (B.S.(Environmental & Occupational Health)) - Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2013. Introduction: Dental caries remains one of the most common preventable public health problems throughout the world. It is the primary cause of oral pain and tooth loss, which lead to chewing difficulties, speech problems, general health disorders, psychological problems, and ultimately lowers quality of life. Objective: To determine the level of fluoride in drinking water and human urine. Measuring the concentration of fluoride in urine and drinking water are the ways to determine the exposure of fluoride especially among the children. Methodology: A total of 103 primary school children were chosen as respondents. Drinking water were collected using pre-cleaned 250ml polypropylene plastic bottles while human urine samples was collected using 50ml polypropylene plastic bottles added with 0.2g EDT A. Sampling was done for 3 consecutive days and samples were analyzed within 72 hours using the SPADNS method on a direct reading spectrophotometer HACH Brand model DRJ2500. Results: Drinking water fluoride levels ranged from 0.03¬0.88 mg/L with a mean of 0.3717 s.d ±0.18585 mg/L. Urinary fluoride levels ranged from 0.38-2.12 mg/L with a mean of 1.3953 s.d ±0.3502l mg/L. There was no significant difference on urinary fluoride levels between male and female respondents (p=0.067). Pearson correlation performed showed there were no significant relationship between drinking water fluoride and urinary fluoride (r>0.05). Conclusion: Mean fluoride level in drinking water was low than recommended level by local authorities. There was no significant difference on urinary fluoride level between male and female respondents. Fluoride level in the water used by the community was not adequate. There may be other sources of fluoride such as from food. Thus, in depth study need to be done. Keywords: fluoride, gravity-feed system, dental caries

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms. Adni Syuhaida Zon
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2022 07:36
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2023 01:22
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/234

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