Research into the Levels of Fluorine in the Drinking Water Sources of Cappadoccia, Turkey and into Fluorosis in Sheep in the Region

Authors: H. TAMER DODURKA, M. ERMAN OR, ABDULLAH KAYAR, FUAT KAR

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of fluorine in drinking water in the Cappadoccia region, which is surrounded by three volcanic mountains and to determine whether cases of fluorosis in sheep exist in the region. The research was carried out on a total of 62 water samples from different water sources in the Ürgüp district of Cappadoccia where there is considerable stock-breeding, and subsequently in Göreme, Avanos, central Nevşehir and their surrounding villages. Ten water samples were collected from sources, regularly monitored for the levels of fluorine, around Kadıköy, Avcılar, Tekirdağ, Çorlu and Edirne and were used as the control group. All the samples were evaluated in the week of collection. The level of fluorine in the water samples was measured using an Orion Model 409 fluorine Selective Electrode (Solid-State, BNC). In addition 300 sheep belonging to various herds, brought to slaughter-houses in Nevşehir and Ürgüp, were examined for fluorosis. Statistical evaluation was performed using the student's-t test. The average level of fluorine was 0.254 ± 0.065 (ppm) in the experimental group and 0.343 ± 0.095 in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Clinical examination of sheep did not reveal any important symptoms of fluorosis. It was determined that the levels of fluorine in the water in the region of Cappadoccia were not high and there were no clinical findings of fluorosis in sheep despite the fact that this is a volcanic region. It was therefore concluded that there was no chronic fluorosis problem in Cappadoccia.

Keywords: Fluorosis, Sheep, Water

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