Understanding and Mitigating Fluoride Contamination in Asia’s Groundwater Systems: Hydrogeochemical Processes and Health Impacts

Fluoride contamination in groundwater is a significant environmental and public health concern across many Asian countries, particularly India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Fluoride enters groundwater mainly through natural hydrogeochemical processes, including the weathering of fluoride-rich minerals, long-term water–rock interaction, alkaline conditions, and high evaporation in arid regions. Human activities such as excessive groundwater withdrawal and industrial effluents can worsen the problem. Although small amounts of fluoride support dental health, continuous exposure to elevated levels can lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis, neurological issues, and other health complications. Millions of rural communities still depend on untreated groundwater for drinking and farming, increasing their risk. A clear understanding of geological factors, water chemistry, and climatic influences is crucial for designing mitigation measures, including defluorination methods, alternative water supplies, sustainable groundwater management, and community health awareness programs.


The goal of this research is to create a good understanding of fluoride contamination in Asia’s groundwater systems by investigating the hydrogeochemical processes responsible for fluoride mobilization, transport, and accumulation. The study aims to identify both natural and anthropogenic factors influencing fluoride levels in groundwater across different geological and climatic regions of Asia. Particular emphasis will be placed on assessing the interaction between mineral dissolution, groundwater chemistry, aquifer characteristics, and human activities such as agriculture and industrialization. In addition, the research seeks to evaluate the health impacts of prolonged fluoride exposure, including dental and skeletal fluorosis and other associated health risks in vulnerable populations. By integrating hydrogeochemical analysis, risk assessment, and regional case studies, the project aims to propose sustainable mitigation strategies, advanced water treatment approaches, and effective groundwater management policies to ensure safe drinking water access and protect public health across fluoride-affected regions of Asia.


The aim of this research topic is to highlight current trends, unordhodox methodologies, and critical challenges across the targeted scientific domain. We invite submissions that explore advanced materials, novel analytical or characterization methods, environmental and biological implications, sustainable technologies, computational modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches that address current research gaps.

Themes may include:

- Mechanism-driven studies

- Novel synthesis strategies

- Performance optimization

- Risk or toxicity assessment

- Real-world applications.


We encourage a broad range of manuscript types, including original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, short communications, and methodological papers. Submissions should present clear scientific contributions, strong experimental or theoretical support, and insights that advance knowledge and guide future research directions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Fluoride, Ground Water, Hydrogeochemical Process, Health, Pollutants, Asia's Water Quality

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.