전북 지역 일부 수원지의 물에서 불소, 칼슘 및 마그네슘 함량에 관한 조사 연구

A Survey on the Contents of Fluoride, Calcium, and Magnesium of Reservoir Water on a Stream in the Jeon-buk Area of Korea

This study was performed to investigate the levels of fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in water samples taken from five reservoirs or direct sources on a stream used for agricultural or domestic water in the Iksan and Wanjoo areas, Jeon-buk, Korea, and to find a possible link between Ca or Mg and fluoride in water sources in theses areas. The samples were collected by the recommendation methods of the World Health Organization and analyzed by the recommendations of the Japanese Standard Methods. Statistical analyses were performed by the analysis of variance and correlation analysis. The F levels in water samples wire 0.80~2.53 ppm. In four sampling sites the water fluoride levels exceeded 1 ppm. which if the recommended level for fluorosis/caries control. The Ca levels in water samples were 6.82~12.98 ppm, and the Mg levels were 0.30~1.97 ppm, which are lower compared with the natural levels of water sources previously reported by other investigators. This study showed a positive correlation between Ca and Mg (r= 0.8779. p<0.01) and a negative correlation between F and Ca (r=-0.6974, p<0.05) and also between F and Mg (r=-0.5581) in the water samples. However, the study did not find remarkable relationships in fluoride levels between sampling sites. These results support the fact that there were epidemics of dental fluorosis in this area. The lack of significant positive correlations in fluoride levels between sampling sites suggests that there may be some pathways for the transfer of the metal to the water through other environmental media besides the water course. Long-term epidemiological studies are needed on the relationship between high F together with low Ca and Mg levels in the water, and total human health in this community. There should alto be a long-term monitoring of the water quality in this area.