Fluoridation Of Drinking Water

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the fluoridation of drinking water, specifically in the United States. It explains that fluoridation began in the early 20th century with the aim of improving dental health and with the introduction of fluoridated water into community supplies in some countries, reductions in the rates of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) among children occurred. The paper looks at how the World Health Organisation, the United States and the E.U. all advocate fluoridation as an effective method of reducing dental caries, and how only the USA, Britain, Australia and Ireland and a few other countries have fully adopted its use in spite of these world health guidelines. The paper also points out how the engineer plays a key role in implementing the use of fluorine and must act responsibly due to its toxic nature and potentially fatal consequences of incorrect use. The paper concludes that the safety and necessity of fluorine in the drinking water in America needs to be monitored with more studies and research by qualified, well-funded, scientific groups.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. What is Fluorine?
Fluoridation History
How Fluoridation Works
Why Fluoridate?
The Engineer and Fluoridation
Fluoridation And The Law
Some Interesting Quotes on the Subject of Fluoridation
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"Fluoride is usually added to water samples in solution form because in powder form (e.g. Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Fluorosilicate, etc.) it is toxic, dangerous to handle and must be stored in dust tight containers. Thus fluorine is often added as hydrofluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6).
This acid is safer because if it is spilt on the skin it can easily be washed off using cold water. This acid is stored in water treatment facilities in tanks. The tanks are lined with corrosion resistant rubber lining. Fluoridation usually takes place after all other treatments of the drinking water have been carried out. It must be done after water has been softened because ions in the water interfere with the fluoride content. The water must be mixed thoroughly before it leaves the facility, as fluoride is toxic in higher concentrations."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Environmental Engineering, Gerard Kiely (ISBN 0-07-709127-2)
• Chemistry for the Sanitary Engineer, CN Sawyer (ISBN 07-054970-2)
• Water Supply, 2nd & 3rd Editions, Twort Law, Crowley (ISBN 0-7131-3513-1)
• Introduction to Environmental Engineering, Second Edition, Davis and Cornwell (ISBN 0-07-015911-4)
• Fluoride, Drinking Ourselves to Death? Barry Groves (ISBN 0-7171-3274-9)

More papers on Fluoridation Of Drinking Water:

• Essay # 53005 : "Fluoridation"
• Essay # 5680 : "Fluoridation: A Public Health Debate"
• Argumentative Essay # 113980 : "Water Fluoridation"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: