Fluoride Concentration in Black Bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Abstract

Endemic dental fluorosis due to ingestion of toxic levels of fluoride for a long time has been reported in several parts of the world including Kenya. About 50% of the population in Kenya are affected by fluorosis in one way or another [8,17]. Fluoride in fish and marine products has in several countries been identified as a major source of dietary fluoride [1,10,13, 14, ]. fluoride is accumulated in osseous tissues by aquatic organisms living in high fluoride environments. However, there are reports offluorideaccwnnlationinmuscles and skin of some temperate fish [3]. Fishis an important source of food in Kenya. However little information is available regarding fluorideJevelsinfishincludingMicropterussalmoideswhich is conswned locally around Lake Naivasha. The main objective of this work was to establish the fluoride concentration in muscles. skin. gills and bones of Micropterus salmoides and the possibility of such fluoride levels contributing to a high daily intake of fluoride and a subsequent health hazard.