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Correspondence to Author: Shanti Lal Choubisa^{1, 2, *} 

¹ Department of Advanced Science and Technology, National Institute of Medical Science and Research, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur 303121, Rajasthan, Indi
² Former Department of Zoology, Government Meera Girls College, Udaipur 303002, Rajasthan, India.

Abstract:

India has more than 300 coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) that generate electricity. They require fossil coal as fuel and sufficient water to run. During the burning of these coals in TPPs, fluoride-containing gases such as hydrogen fluoride (HF), silicon tetrafluoride (SiF4) and carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) are emitted which contaminate the surrounding air, soil, surface water, vegetation, agricultural crops, grasslands, etc. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, and the fly ash ponds of TPPs have also been found to contain fluoride up to 12.6 mg/kg and 9.94 ppm, respectively. These fluoride-rich sources can cause fluoride contamination in freshwater and groundwater, respectively. Most TPPs in the country are located in areas where agricultural crops, forests, grasslands, and freshwater bodies are also found. Various herbivorous wild animals such as antelopes and deer are commonly found in such environments. If these wild animals are exposed to fluoride emissions and fluoridecontaminated food and water for a long time, they are not safe from fluoride poisoning and may develop fluorosis. Due to which the teeth of these animals become mottled, weak, and start falling at an early age (dental fluorosis). Later, these animals also develop bone disease called skeletal fluorosis. In the absence of research, it is difficult to tell how many wild animals of which species in the country are suffering from fluorosis due to TTPs. This communication highlights how herbivorous wildlife, antelopes and deer, can be affected by chronic fluoride poisoning due to prolonged exposed to fluoride emissions and fluoride contaminated food (crop forage, fruits, seeds, grains, grasses, forest vegetation, etc.) and fresh and groundwater due to coal-based thermal power stations in the country.

Keywords:Animals; Coal; Contamination; Exposure; Fluoride emission; Fluoride poisoning; Fluorosis; Fly ash; Freshwater; Groundwater; Pollution; Thermal power plants; Wildlife.

Citation:

Shanti Lal Choubisa, Is Wildlife Safe From Coal-Burning Thermal Power Plants In India In The Context Of Fluorosis? Journal of Veterinary Science and Research 2025.