Clinico-epidemiological study of industrial fluorosis in calves reared near aluminium smelter plant, at Angul, Odisha

The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of industrial fluorosis on calves reared in vicinity of aluminium smelter plants, Angul, Odisha. A total of 147 calves reared within 5 km radial distance from plant were screened and highest prevalence of both dental as well as skeletal fluorosis were observed in 8-12 month age group calves while the lowest prevalence was noticed in 0-4 month age of calves. The fluoride level in soil, feed (dry and green fodder and milk), water (surface and ground) in the vicinity of aluminium smelter were significantly higher than less exposed area i.e. Bhubaneswar (an area with low environmental fluoride level). A higher burden of plasma, urine and faecal fluoride were observed in calves from the surrounding of aluminium smelter plant than healthy calves reared in Bhubaneswar without any visible lesions referable to fluorosis. The fluorosis calves also exhibited a significant alteration in haemato-biochemical parameter along with serum micro and macro mineral content compared to the healthy control.