12% of schoolchildren have dental fluorosis caused by poor quality water

About 12% of schoolchildren in the country have dental fluorosis caused by the poor quality of the water they drink. This water also causes digestive diseases. First deputy director of the National Center for Public Health Ion Salaru told Info-Prim Neo that dental fluorosis is a condition that affects the enamel and consequently the color of teeth. It occurs when people drink water with high concentrations of fluorine. The most vulnerable are children around the age of 7, when they grow permanent teeth. In Glodeni, Falesti, Calarasi, Ceadir Lunga, Rascani and Causeni, over 30% of schoolchildren have fluorosis. “If it is a mild form, it’s not as dangerous because it only affects the aesthetic aspects of teeth, but severe forms can affect the very construction of the teeth”, said Ion Salaru. Ion Salaru warned that poor quality water also caused digestive diseases. There are about 230-240 cases in 10,000 children. These diseases are caused by the excess of nitrates, sulfates or high concentration of minerals in water. Specialists observed a difference in morbidity in different areas. “The incidence of digestive diseases in children is highest in the northern region. First, the percentage of people with access to aqueduct water is the lowest in this region. Second, here’s the highest degree of using water from wells for drinking”, he said. The northern region also has the highest incidence of anemia among children. The water in the region has a high concentration of nitrates. It was proved that if a generation consumes nitrates during the whole life, there is a high risk for children to be born with malformations. Specialists recommend the people to be careful about the water they drink and to change the water source or use filters if they find that the water is of poor quality. In communities without aqueducts, the local administration and the people must apply for various projects to obtain funding and, also contributing with their own resources, to install water supply systems.