Fluoride

Fluoride is the anion F-, the reduced form of fluorine, a natural mineral. Fluoride is found naturally in low concentration in drinking water and foods. Water with underground sources is more likely to have higher levels of fluoride, whereas the concentration in seawater averages 1.3 parts per million (ppm). Fresh water supplies generally contain between 0.01-0.3 ppm, while the ocean contains between 1.2 and 1.5 ppm.

Soluble fluoride salts, of which NaF is the most common, are mildly toxic but have resulted in both accidental and suicidal deaths from acute poisoning. While the minimum fatal dose in humans is not known, a case of a fatal poisoning of an adult with 4 grams of NaF is documented.

Daily low exposure fluoride poisoning can be manifested in seemingly harmless symptoms, such as white spots in teeth (dental fluorosis), or chronic problems, such as arthritic joints, or more serious problems, including respiratory disease or cancer, or a complex of problems, whether acute or chronic. People are exposed to fluoride primarly through ingesting fluorinated tap water and toothpaste.

Regular activated carbon water filters cannot remove fluoride from tap water. A reverse osmosis system will remove 90-95% of fluoride.

* Some info courtesy of Wikipedia.

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