Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Fluoride

Water Quality

1. Introduction

Major reviews of the literature on fluoride, with respect to its role as a nutrient or as a toxin, its effect on teeth and bones, its effect on metabolism, its occurrence in air, food and water, its effects on wildlife, livestock and vegetation, and occupational exposure, have been carried out periodically. Some of these reviews are (McKee and Wolf, 1963; Underwood, 1971; Anon, 1968; Cholak, 1959; Anon (WHO), 1986; Ericsson (Editor), 1970; Princi, 1960; Cass, 1961; Campbell et al., 1958 & 1974; Suttie, 1977; Roholm, 1937; Hodge and Smith, 1965; Anon, 1966/1970; Davis, 1961; Rose and Marier, 1977; Anon, 1971a; Smith and Cox, 1952; Maynard et al., 1958; Anon, 1970; Farkas, 1975b; Weinstein, 1977; and Anon, 1974). There is also a journal, 'Fluoride', which publishes papers exclusively on fluoride and its effects.

Techniques for sampling, sample preparation and measurement of fluoride in plant tissue, animal tissue, soil and rock, food and beverages, air and water are described by Jacobson and Weinstein (1977).

The use of fluoridated drinking water has been attacked on many fronts by an active anti-fluoridation lobby; however, most such attacks have neither been objective nor backed by scientifically acceptable evidence. Seven of these common attacks have been outlined and refuted in two brief reviews, Anon (1978a) and Anon (1978b). There are also professional scientists who have reservations about fluoride use. Generally, while they do not believe that the 1.0 mg/L level is harmful, they think that there is not enough safety margin between the recommended level, and levels, less than 1 order of magnitude higher, which cause harmful effects. They are not convinced that the benefits of fluoridation are as great as the pro-fluoridation lobby indicates (Hileman, 1988).


	Water Quality Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Fluoride 1. Introduction Major reviews of the literature on fluoride, with respect to its role as a nutrient or as a toxin, its effect on teeth and bones, its effect on metabolism, its occurrence in air, food and water, its effects on wildlife, livestock and vegetation, and occupational exposure, have been carried out periodically. Some of these reviews are (McKee and Wolf, 1963; Underwood, 1971; Anon, 1968; Cholak, 1959; Anon (WHO), 1986; Ericsson (Editor), 1970; Princi, 1960; Cass, 1961; Campbell et al., 1958 & 1974; Suttie, 1977; Roholm, 1937; Hodge and Smith, 1965; Anon, 1966/1970; Davis, 1961; Rose and Marier, 1977; Anon, 1971a; Smith and Cox, 1952; Maynard et al., 1958; Anon, 1970; Farkas, 1975b; Weinstein, 1977; and Anon, 1974). There is also a journal, 'Fluoride', which publishes papers exclusively on fluoride and its effects. Techniques for sampling, sample preparation and measurement of fluoride in plant tissue, animal tissue, soil and rock, food and beverages, air and water are described by Jacobson and Weinstein (1977). The use of fluoridated drinking water has been attacked on many fronts by an active anti-fluoridation lobby; however, most such attacks have neither been objective nor backed by scientifically acceptable evidence. Seven of these common attacks have been outlined and refuted in two brief reviews, Anon (1978a) and Anon (1978b). There are also professional scientists who have reservations about fluoride use. Generally, while they do not believe that the 1.0 mg/L level is harmful, they think that there is not enough safety margin between the recommended level, and levels, less than 1 order of magnitude higher, which cause harmful effects. They are not convinced that the benefits of fluoridation are as great as the pro-fluoridation lobby indicates (Hileman, 1988).