Fluorosis from excess fluoride in drinking water presents with dental fluorosis at fluoride levels above which threshold?

• A 0.5 mg/L
• B 2.0 mg/L
• C 1.5 mg/L ✓
• D 4.0 mg/L

Explanation

Dental fluorosis (white mottling of enamel) occurs with chronic exposure to fluoride concentrations above 1.5 mg/L, the WHO permissible limit in drinking water. India's BIS standard (IS:10500:2012) sets 1.0 mg/L as the acceptable limit and 1.5 mg/L as the permissible limit. Skeletal fluorosis (bone and joint damage) occurs at >3.0–6.0 mg/L with prolonged exposure. The fluoride belt in India (Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) has naturally elevated groundwater fluoride.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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