36 Chapter 6 Chemical Composition Chemistry And Health Fluoridation Of Drinking Water The Early 1900s Scientists Discov 1 (69.65 KiB) Viewed 37 times
36 Chapter 6 Chemical Composition Chemistry And Health Fluoridation Of Drinking Water The Early 1900s Scientists Discov 2 (69.65 KiB) Viewed 37 times
36 CHAPTER 6 Chemical Composition CHEMISTRY AND HEALTH Fluoridation of Drinking Water the early 1900s, scientists discovered that people whose great. Indeed, too much fluoride can cause teeth to become drinking water naturally contained fluoride (F) ions brown and spotted, a condition known as dental fluorosis had fewer cavities than people whose water did not. Atap. Extremely high levels can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a cond propriate levels, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, which tion in which the bones become brittle and arthritic. prevents tooth decay. In an effort to improve public health, The scientific consensus is that like many minerals, fluoride has been artificially added to drinking water sup- fluoride shows some health benefits at certain levels plies since 1945. In the United States today, about 62% of the about 1-4 mg/day for adults-but can have detrimental population drinks artificially fluoridated drinking water. effects at higher levels. Consequently, most major cities The American Dental Association and public health agen- fluoridate their drinking water at a level of about 0.7 mg/l cies estimate that water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by Most adults drink between 1 and 2 L of water per day, se 40 to 65%. they receive beneficial amounts of fluoride from the water The fluoridation of public drinking water, however, is Bottled water does not normally contain fluoride. Fluori often controversial. Some opponents argue that fluoride is dated bottled water can sometimes be found in the infant available from other sources such as toothpaste, mouth- section of supermarkets. wash, drops, and pills-and therefore should not be added to drinking water. Anyone who wants fluoride can get it 36.1 CAN YOU ANSWER THIS? Fluoride is often added to water from these optional sources, they argue, and the government as sodium fluoride (NaF). What is the mass percent composition should not impose fluoride on the population. Other oppo- of Fin NaF? How many grams of NaF must be added to 1500L ments argue that the risks associated with fluoridation are too of water to fluoridate it at a level of 0.7 mg F/L?
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