Fluoride Toxicity Control: Real-World Application of Membrane and Nanotechnology in Drinking Water Treatment

Nehal Kumar

Dr Rajesh Verma

Vol. 10, Issue 1, Jan-Dec 2024

Page Number: 60 - 78

Abstract:

Fluoride contamination in drinking water is a critical environmental and public health issue in Bihar, India. Districts such as Nawada, Rohtas, Nalanda, Bhagalpur, and Gaya have recorded fluoride concentrations ranging from 2–8 mg/L, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. As a result, thousands of villagers are affected by dental and skeletal fluorosis, leading to chronic health burdens. Traditional defluoridation techniques like the Nalgonda method and activated alumina have been tested in Bihar, but operational sustainability, waste disposal, and community acceptance remain weak points. In recent years, membrane technologies (reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, electrodialysis) and nanotechnology-based approaches (nano-alumina, graphene oxide composites, CNT-based membranes) have been piloted and partially deployed in fluoride-affected areas of Bihar. Community-level RO plants in Nawada and Gaya demonstrated reduction of fluoride from 6–8 mg/L to <1 mg/L, while IIT Patna’s nanomaterial-based projects show potential for household filters. This paper critically examines the real-world implementation of these advanced technologies in Bihar, evaluates their engineering performance, socio-economic feasibility, and long-term sustainability, and identifies challenges for future scale-up.

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