The accuracy and usability of point-of-use fluoride biosensors in rural Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Geogenic fluoride contaminates the water of tens of millions of people. However, many are unaware of the fluoride content due in part to shortcomings of detection methods. Biosensor tests are a relatively new approach to water quality testing that address many of these shortcomings but have never been tested by non-experts in a "real-world" setting. We therefore sought to assess the accuracy and usability of a point-of-use fluoride biosensor using surveys and field tests in Nakuru County, Kenya. Biosensor tests accurately classified elevated fluoride (≥1.5 ppm) in 89.5% of the 57 samples tested. Usability was also high; all participants were able to use the test and correctly interpreted all but one sample. These data suggest that biosensor tests can provide accurate, meaningful water qual

SUBMITTER: Thavarajah W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9905762 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature