HEALTH RISKS RELATED TO FLUORINE AND ARSENIC GROUNDWATER CONSUMPTION IN A RURAL MEXICAN VILLAGE

Juventino Rosas inhabitants are supplied with groundwater extracted from the local aquifer system. Juventino Rosas is a small village located in Guanajuato State, in the Bajío Guanajuatense, in the central part of Mexico, at the boundary between the Central Mexican Plateau and the Mexican Volcanic Belt. The groundwater is the only water supply source; agriculture is the main economic activity of the site. Groundwater has arsenic and fluorine concentrations over the Mexican standards for drinking water (NOM-127-SSA1), these concentrations are associated with geological physical-chemical processes occurring in the natural aquifer, mainly influenced by the depth, temperature, pH, type of rock and mineralogy. A risk assessment was carried out based on an epidemiological survey and on chemical analyses of groundwater samples. High arsenic (As), and fluorine (F^-), groundwater concentrations represent a risk for population due to their toxicity. Long time exposure and high concentrations increase the risk of developing dental fluorosis and keratosis. With the survey we found health effects related to fluorine in the population. No health damages associated with arsenic were detected. Also, in the healthy population, there is risk of developing one or both health effects. The treated water consumption reduces health risks. Additionally, the population is exposed to radon gas due to the local tectonics. Fluoride and arsenic can originate in minerals of deep volcanic rocks, which can contribute to infiltrations of ground waters and irrigation water. Treated water consumption is reducing F and As health effects.