Assessment of Endemic Fluorosis and Its Relationship with Drinking Water Quality in Selected Villages of Amas Block, Gaya District, Bihar, India

Fluorosis is a chronic public health problem in many groundwater-dependent regions of India, arising from prolonged consumption of fluoride-rich drinking water. The present study investigated the prevalence of fluorosis and its association with drinking water quality in selected villages of Amas Block, Gaya District, Bihar. A comprehensive field survey was conducted to document dental and skeletal fluorosis among local inhabitants, and drinking water samples were collected from 22 sources comprising hand pumps, dug wells, streams, and surface water bodies. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed following standard APHA procedures. The survey revealed widespread dental and skeletal deformities among residents of Bhoop Nagar village, whereas neighboring villages exhibited comparatively lower incidences of fluorosis. Fluoride concentrations in Bhoop Nagar ranged from 2.9 to 5.2 mg L⁻¹ throughout the study period, substantially exceeding the permissible limit of 1.5 mg L⁻¹ for drinking water. Elevated fluoride levels were also recorded in selected water sources of Masuribari and Amas areas. Most other water quality parameters remained within acceptable limits, although elevated iron concentrations were observed at several locations. The spatial distribution of fluorosis closely corresponded with areas exhibiting high fluoride concentrations, indicating groundwater fluoride contamination as the principal cause of the observed health disorders. The findings identify Bhoop Nagar as a fluoride-endemic hotspot and emphasize the urgent need for sustainable defluoridation measures, regular groundwater quality monitoring, and community-based intervention programs to ensure safe drinking water and reduce fluorosis-related health risks in the region.