| We investigated the levels of F and its relationship with As, B and V in ground and surface waters of the southern Pampas, where cases of dental and skeletal fluorosis, and arsenic in hair and urine samples have been detected in the rural population. Eating vegetables and cereals grown in irrigated areas with excessive fluoride may increase the risk of fluorosis due to the addition of the extra F contributed from other sources such as drinking water. Moreover, if these elements exceed the tolerance of crops produce toxicity and, like salinity, they decrease the potential crop yield. Within an area of 2300 km², 81 samples were taken from surface and groundwaters to determine F, As, B and V. Fluoride was detected in 86% of the sampled groundwaters, and in... |
