Application of Octacalcium Phosphate with an Innovative Household‐scale Defluoridator Prototype and Behavioral Determinants of its Adoption in Rural Communities of the East African Rift Valley. (1st May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Idini, Alfredo; Frau, Franco; Gutierrez, Luciano; Dore, Elisabetta; Nocella, Giuseppe; Ghiglieri, Giorgio
• Is Part Of: Integrated environmental assessment and management. Volume 16:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 856
• Page End: 870
• Publication Date: 2020-05-01
• Subjects: Octacalcium Phosphate (OCP) -- Fluoride contamination of groundwater -- Defluoridation method -- RANAS behavioral model -- Fluorosis; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; 628
• DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1551-3777

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Natural fluoride contamination of drinking water is a serious issue that affects several countries of the world. Its negative health impact is well documented in the East African Rift Valley, where water consumption with fluoride ( F − ) concentration greater than 1.5 mg/L can cause fluorosis to people. Within the framework of the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 FLOWERED project, we first designed an effective defluoridation device based on innovative application of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and then explored its acceptance within rural communities. The prototype (FLOWERED Defluoridator Device [FDD]) essentially is composed of a 20‐L tank and a recirculating pump that guarantees the interaction between water and OCP. The device is powered by a car battery for a fixed pumping working time using a fixed amount of OCP for every defluoridation cycle. The results of tests performed in the rural areas of Tanzania show that a standardized use of the prototype can lower the dissolved F − from an initial concentration of 21 mg/L to below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinkable limit of 1.5 mg/L in 2 h without secondary negative effects on water quality. The approximate cost of this device is around US$220, whereas that of OCP is about $0.03/L of treated water. As with any device, acceptance requires a behavioral change on behalf of rural communities that needed to be investigated. To this end, we piloted a survey to explore how psychological and socioeconomic factors influence the consumption of fluoride‐free water. Results show that the adoption of FDD and OCP is more appealing to members of the rural communities who are willing to pay more and have a high consumption of water. Moreover, we suggest that given the low level of knowledge about fluorosis diseases, the government should introduce educational programs to make rural communities aware of the negative health consequences. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:856–870. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC) KEY POINTS: Octacalcium phosphate (OCP) can effectively remove fluoride (F − ) from natural waters of the East African Rift Valley (EARV) through its transformation into fluorapatite (FAP). A new device for the treatment of fluoride‐polluted waters based on OCP has been presented: the FLOWERED Defluoridator Device (FDD). It has been tested and the results show that the FDD can be effectively applied in rural contexts. A standardized method for fluoride‐rich water treatment has been settled up: in 2 h of working time the FDD with 80 g of OCP can treat 20 L of natural water with F − concentration up to 21 mg/L. From socio‐economic analysis emerges that, given the poor knowledge of the risk of dental and skeletal fluorosis, the EARV governments should introduce educational programs to make rural communities aware of the negative health consequence of these diseases.