Caracterización geográfica de la exposición a fluoruros en Colombia, mediante uso de fuentes de información de vigilancia en salud pública, durante 2012 – 2018

Objective: To geographically characterize in colombian territory, drinking water sources and the collective indices of dental fluorosis which indicate fluoride exposure at the community level. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out from two sources of information: the drinking water quality surveillance information subsystem (SIVICAP) and the public health surveillance system (Sivigila). The analyzes were performed from 2012 to 2018, weighting the risks for exposure to fluoride in water, to determine the following risk levels: no risk, dental fluorosis risk and risk for skeletal fluorosis. The collective dental fluorosis index (ICF) was calculated, the results were represented on geographical maps. Results: the departments of Narino, Boyaca, Quindio, Valle del Cauca and Cundinamarca presented the highest number of water samples (60.5%). 14 municipalities had concentrations above 4 ppm, and 10 municipalities had concentrations between 1.01 and 4 ppm. Sentinel surveillance of fluoride exposure showed that three municipalities presented ICF> 3, meaning a very serious risk. Regarding serious risk, 52 municipalities from 21 departments were found, mainly in the Andean and Caribbean region. Narino was the department with the highest number of municipalities at serious risk. Conclusions: environmental risks in water and biological risks were identified due to high collective indices of dental fluorosis, which are spatially located in the Andean region. The risks in water can be explained because in this region water quality surveillance is carried out more frequently.