Fluorine concentration in bottled mineral water and natural sources in the cities of Lindóia, Águas de Lindóia and Serra Negra, Brazil

Abstract

The maintenance of optimal fluorine concentration in mineral water and its presence in water from natural sources are fundamental to assure the efficiency of this method in relation to public health. The use of systemic fluorine must be controlled in terms of risks and benefits, because if the underdosage does not bring benefits against caries, the overdosage is associated with dental fluorosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate fluorine concentra- tions in natural sources and bottled mineral water in the cities of Águas de Lindóia, Lindóia and Serra Negra in São Paulo State, Brazil, a region called “Water Circuit”. 20 samples of water from natural sources collected in various points and 9 samples of bottled mineral water commercially available were analysed. Fluorine was analysed by direct method, using a fluorine ion-specific electrode (Orion 9609), previously calibrated with standard fluorine solutions. It was observed fluorine concentrations ranging from 0 to 0.46 ppm. All samples had fluorine concentrations below the limits consi- dered benefic to prevent caries. It was concluded that it is necessary to make these data public to population. Health professionals should also be alerted to these findings, since the consumption of these kind of water has been incre- asing in the last years in the whole country. Furthermore, local population, by cultural reasons, only drinks water that comes from the natural sources, and then doesn’t receive the benefits from the fluorine present in public water supply. Key words: mineral water, fluori- ne, dental fluorosis