Fluoride in our drinking water

Running head : FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER

Fluoride in Drinking Water

Student Name

Place

December 7 , 2006

Abstract

The article starts with a brief introduction to element fluorine , its occurrence in nature and methods of absorption into human body . Ill effects of fluoride on human body are described in detail followed by various research studies in favor and against fluoride concentrations in drinking water

Fluoride in Drinking Water

According to the Leonard , Fluorine a halogen is pale , yellow gas with atomic no . 9 , atomic weight 18 .9984 and

13th most abundant element found on the earth . Fluorine does not exist in free state but in combination with other elements forming fluoride compounds

Fluoride ingested is absorbed rapidly from gastrointestinal tract rather than the oral cavity , in addition the contribution of fluoride absorbed through the oral mucosa is insignificant relative to plasma fluoride levels

National Research Council of National Academies , US Environmental Protection Agency has adapted three standards for fluoride concentration in drinking water namely Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG , Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL ) and Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL Public drinking water was found to contain a MCLG of 4 milligrams per liter (mg /L ) and an SMCL of 2 mg /L fluoride , and an MCL of 4mg /L was promulgated in 1986

Fluoride may occur as a natural contaminant or may be added to provide public health protection from dental caries . As per the statistics in 1992 a water with about 6 .7 million consuming water containing fluoride concentrations less than or equal to 1 .2 mg /L while exceptionally high concentration of fluoride was found in Colorado (11 .2mg /L , Oklahoma (12 .0 mg /L , New Mexico (13 .0 mg /L ) and Idaho (15 .9 mg /l . Fluoride concentrations greater than 1 .3 mg /L can be considered as naturally contaminated and when added intentionally a concentration range of 0 .7 to 1 .2 mg /L is recommended depending on the mean temperature of the locality i .e , in localities experiencing higher mean temperatures the fluoride concentration is maintained at 0 .7 mg /L and for cooler climes the fluoride concentration is maintained at 1 .2 mg /L . The optimal concentrations are recommended to prevent dental caries , limit enamel fluorosis and dose related mottling of teeth ranging from mild discoloration of the surface to severe staining and pitting

According to Life Streams International Manufacturing Company following ill-effects are associated with consumption of fluoridated drinking water , usage of toothpastes and some tablets

Research studies showed that moderate level exposure led to fluoride build up in brains of animals damaging the brain and adversely effecting their behavior pattern . Further studies also showed that fluoride exposure effected the central nervous system also leading to a lower IQ in children

Rats suffered from histologic lesions in the brain and damage to blood brain barrier after consuming water containing 1 ppm of Sodium fluoride .Possibility of bone cancer was two to seven times in male children belonging to areas where the water was fluoridated...