Abstract

TOASSI, Ramona Fernanda Ceriotti; KUHNEN, Mirian; CISLAGHI, Gisela Ana  and  BERNARDO, Jocelito Rosa. External control of fluoride levels in the public water supply in Lages, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.3, pp. 727-732. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232007000300023.

The purpose of this study is a monthly assessment of fluoride levels in the public water supply in Lages, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. This town was divided into ten regions, where water samples were collected from October 2004 to September 2005. Two samples were drawn from each region and sent to the Fluoride Health Surveillance Laboratory at Vale do Itajaí University for analysis through an electrometric method (Orion 920A/Orion Electrode 9609). After twelve months, 120 samples had been collected, demonstrating gaps in the fluoride levels and some points with excessive fluoride levels (35,8%). Several points with ideal fluoride concentrations (54.2%) also appeared. These findings lead to the conclusion that external controls are required for monitoring fluoride levels in the public water supply in Lages.

Keywords : Fluoridation; Water treatment; Water analysis; Water supply.