Role of Bio-adsorbent in Defluoridation

Fluorosis affects around 70 million people worldwide but remains a neglected public health concern. Countries like China, India, and Pakistan reported high fluoride levels of naturally occurring fluoride in their water. Other sources of high fluoride concentration in the environment are from using F-enriched fertilizer and the chemical processing of phosphorus and other industrial activities such as using Fluorine-based compounds. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the mobility of fluorine in the environment, its distribution, and associated health risk assessment. We also discussed the impact of fluorine on humans and animals as well as the gene expression of different cell types exposed to high levels of fluoride. Consequently, research is concentrated primarily on finding ways to lower the fluoride content in environments, mainly water and soil. Many methods have been developed to reduce or eliminate fluoride concentrations in the environment or remove it from drinking water. Among the most often employed techniques are ion exchange, coagulation, precipitation, and adsorption. Nevertheless, substantial drawbacks include high operating costs, complex maintenance schedules, and sludge disposal requirements. Thus, simple, affordable, and applicable methods to an array of conditions are beneficial. The conditions mentioned above can be met with the use of adsorption strategies. Industrial waste products, biogenic adsorbents, and alumina are a few often utilized adsorbents for fluoride removal. Here, we covered some of the best economical, eco-friendly, and effective bio-adsorbents, along with their features. Despite reports of some adsorbents having exceptional fluoride removal capabilities, additional innovative adsorbents with both technological and commercial benefits are urgently required to be developed.