Fluoride Makes No Sense

CORROSION: Fluoride, one of the most highly reactive elements known, is so corrosive that it eats through metal, glass, and ceramic. Fluoridation lowers pH and accelerates corrosion because the water becomes a more conductive electrolyte, precipitating rust or sludge into the systems. Typical examples reported of increased corrosion in fluoridated water systems include: city water main breaks: hot water heaters eaten out: lawn-sprinkling piping systems corroded and leaded; domestic and industrial plumbing rapidly corroded and excessively leaded increasing repair costs as much as 500%; pipes, meters and water-sing equipment clogged by rust and sludge high in fluoride content –8,000 ppm not uncommon, etc. Many towns have abandoned fluoridation because of the exorbitant costs incurred to the public and private sectors for fluoride-induced corrosion.

LEAD: The high corrosive nature of fluorides causes lead to leach from pipes and solder, increasing lead contamination in drinking water. The problem is most acute in older domestic dwellings with lead piping, but lead is also leached from service lines connecting to the city system, brass faucets (contain lead), copper plumbing soldered with 50/50 lead/tin solder. Moreover, the industrial-grade chemicals used to fluoridate-usually hydrofluosilicic acid, toxic waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry–contain contaminants such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, antimony, uranium, etc. Many towns have stopped fluoridating in order to facilitate compliance with EPA safety levels for lead in public drinking water.

SPILLS, OVERFEEDS, OVEREXPOSURE–Human error and machinery malfunction can be minimized but never completely eliminated. In the case of fluoridation this fact can be fatal. Myriad cases of overfeeds, spills and accidents at fluoridation plants have caused emergency treatment, hospitalization and fatalities because unknowing victims were overdosed with fluoride. In a water system as large as New York City’s–even under the best of circumstances–it is very difficult if not impossible to maintain fluoride concentration at “optimum” levels throughout.

CONTAINMENT AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY HAZARDS–Workers at fluoridation plants are at high risk because of the extremely caustic nature of fluoride chemicals. Protective gear, ventilation guidelines, storage and transportation precautions must be strictly adhered to. The vapors alone are so corrosive that they will etch glass! According to Water Fluoridation–A Manual for Engineers and Technicians, published by U.S. Health & Human Services: “The lack of good monitoring and surveillance programs in states with fluoridated communities has been a concern of state dental directors and Center for Disease Control (CDC) for some time.”

SHEER INEFFICIENCY–Less than 1% of public water supplies are used for human consumption–the rest goes down the drain for washing, toilets, etc. But only about .001% of public waters are consumed by the target group of children in the enamel-forming stage (up to age 8 or 9) whom proponents claim might benefit from fluoride. So for every $100,000 spent on fluoridation at least $99,900 goes down the drain–compounding problems in the sewage system, including costly toxic sludge disposal!

COSTS–In these times of fiscal strangulation, communities must allocate huge sums to artificially fluoridate. Consider the following partial list of annual expenses: tons of fluoridating chemicals; tons of chemicals (sodium hydroxide, ortho-phosphates) to help neutralize the acidity caused by fluoridating chemicals; salaries for employees to administer chemicals, monitor machinery, etc.: worker training; protective clothing and gear; repairs to machinery, pumps, etc., due to corrosion; storage tank; installation and design fees; building maintenance, laboratory analyses; special reinforced-lined trucks to convey chemicals to sites, etc. In New York City, where budget deficits are forcing Draconian cuts in all municipal operations, these costs run into the many millions of dollars.