Determining the Optimal Concentration of Fluoride in Drinking Water from the Republic of Macedonia

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal concentration of fluoride in drinking water from 11 cities located on different sites throughout the Republic of Macedonia. Method:The optimal level of fluoride in drinking water is universally calculated by applying the equation of Galagan and Vermillion, which permits the calculation of water as a function of temperature. Results:The annual mean maximum temperatures (AMMT) recorded during the last 5 years were collected from the meteorological centres of the 11 divisional headquarter stations. The optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water from different cities in Macedonia was calculated to be 0.84 mgF/L in Gevgelija, 0.83 mgF/L in Demir Kapija, 0.88 mgF/L in Strumica, 0.89 mgF/L in Shtip, 0.9 mgF/L in Skopje (Zajcev Rid), 0.92 mgF/L in Bitola, 0.94 mgF/L in Prilep and Ohrid, 0.95 mgF/L in Kriva Palanka, 1.00 mgF/L in Berovo and 1.09 mgF/L in Lazaropole. Conclusion: Determining the most appropriate concentration of fluoride in drinking water is crucial for communities. The optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water from different cities from the Republic of Macedonia was calculated to be between 0.84 -1.09 mg F/L. prevalence and climatic conditions, which resulted in the issuance of more guidance over the last 40 years [10-14] (Table 1). Minimal deviations which appear in these guidelines are consequence of the difficulties that exist around the determination of a value acceptable for each geographical area, which could provide at the same way anti-caries effects of fluoride and minimizes the risk of dental fluorosis [15]. Climate in the Republic of Macedonia Climate in the Republic of Macedonia depends on many climatic factors. The most significant of them are the following: geographic position, closeness of the surrounding seas and the relief. As a result of the climatic and other natural factors, three basic climatic types have been represented in the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. They are as it follows: alternated Mediterranean, temperate continental and mountainous climate. Our country expand between 40o50י and 42o20י north geographic latitude and 20o27י and 23o05י east geographic length. That means our country is not very close to the equator, where reign to the end of time summer, nor very close to the North Pole where reign everlasting winter. Republic of Macedonia is situated approximately on the middle between them, in the north temperate thermal zone. J B R J o u r n a l o f I nt er dis cipl inary Micine nd D e n t a l S c i e n c e ISSN: 2376-032X Citation: Vesna A, Mira J, Mihail K, Shaban M, Guguvcevski L (2016) Determining the Optimal Concentration of Fluoride in Drinking Water from the Republic of Macedonia. J Interdiscipl Med Dent Sci 4: 199. doi: 10.4172/2376-032X.1000199 Volume 4 • Issue 3 1000199 J Interdiscipl Med Dent Sci ISSN: 2376-032X JIMDS, an open access journal Page 2 of 5 The vicinity of the surrounding seas is the second important factor on which the climate in our country depends. The Aegean Sea in the north is most closely to the Republic of Macedonia and in the west the Adriatic Sea. The warm influences of the Aegean Sea get in trough the valleys of the Vardar and Strumica rivers. The warm influences of the Adriatic Sea enter trough the valley of the Black Drim river. Also, the influences of the Atlantic Ocean, from where the west winds bring rainfalls in the spring and the autumn months penetrate from the west. The orography is as well the important factor for the climate in our country. The Kozuv, Nidje and Belasica mountains, as well and Jablanica, Desat and Korab mountains with their heights and direction of stretch prevent warm influences from the south and the west. The Skopska Crna Gora and the Shar Mountains prevent the cold continental influences from the north. The temperature of the air in the Republic of Macedonia is affected by the orography, vicinity of the seas, vegetables and other things. The correlation existing between dental fluorosis and fluoride concentration in water is based on average water consumption, a condition that depends directly from air temperature and local climate conditions. As a result of its geographic position and topography, our country is at the crossroads of continental and Mediterranean climates (Figure 1). Temperatures, rainfall, atmospheric pressure, wind and moisture vary significantly and influence the overall water regime. Dry and hot periods predominate (summer-autumn) while cold periods are short (winter). Rainfall is irregular, sporadic and in small quantity throughout the country (average annual precipitation is 733 mm). Fluoride uptake is increasing proportionally with the increasing of the concentration of fluoride in water, as well as with air temperature in the area, since summer temperatures are higher than winter temperatures [5]. Drinking-water is typically the largest single contributor to daily fluoride intake [16]. For a given individual, fluoride exposure via drinking-water is determined by the fluoride level in the water and the daily water consumption. More recently national figures can be obtained or computed from various compendia of environmental and water supply statistics such as World Bank (1994) and World Resources Institute (1996). However, national consumption figures, especially for developing countries, may be of limited use for this purpose because there are likely to be major differences between urban and rural communities using wells and boreholes with hand pumps. For a given individual, water consumption increases with temperature, humidity, exercise and state of health, and is modified by other factors including diet. Roughly, the closer to the Equator the higher is the water consumption [16]. From the perspective of public health, drinking water should be the main source of fluoride for humans. The entire population of every region of the world drink equal quantity of water and thus brings equal quantity of fluoride in the body. In some areas of the world where the amount of fluoride in drinking water ranged between 0.5 and 1.5 mg F/L not caused the occurrence of dental fluorosis while the occurrence of dental caries was significantly reduced. Due to this fact, it is necessary to determine the "optimal" amount of fluoride for each climate area. It is necessary for the additional input of fluoride to drinking water, salt, milk or used of fluoride tablets, and dental pastes with fluoride.