Fluoridation is a well established principle for healthy teeth.
It is now normal in most developed societies to fluoridate water as it leaves the catchment area and enters the domestic supply.
But what do they use to do it and why?
As with anything else, the choice of chemicals for a task comes down to what is cheapest, most stable, and most readily available.
Although there are many fluoride salts that could be used, the most common chemical today is fluorosilicic acid. This chemical is used essentially because it is the cheapest and most readily available source of fluoride, as it is itself a byproduct (of fertiliser manufacture).
Of course, wherever there is fluoride and acid there is the chance for the formation of hydrofluoric acid, the strongest mineral acid in existence, and one of a group of nasty chemicals that you do not want to either get onto yourl skin or into your lungs.
But as it is only handled by qualified personnel this is not an issue. Despite the fact that it is a fluorosilicate it has the handy property of delivering sufficient free fluoride at neutral pH to fluoridate the water to the correct level.
As well as that, like any mineral acid it is essentially stable forever, and storage facilities needn’t be concerned about degradation, particularly since the levels of fluoride are monitored anyway.
Thankyou very much. I heard the reply on 6pr too.:) You really have amazing knowledge and are very generous in the way you share it.
Yes it is, but fluoride is one of those things that is beneficial in low concentrations, but harmful in higher concentrations. Before giving anything to your kids I’d ask a pharmacist about it first.
Can you please say something about rain water then. Is it safe to give kids the fluoride pills if there is no scheme water?