I asked Council what form of fluoride was to be added to our water supply in December this year – they were unable to tell me, other than that it would be ‘as per the State Government guidelines’. The Queensland Department of Health, under whose aegis water fluoridation falls, lists a number of forms of fluoride that are approved for this purpose, including Hydrofluorosilicic acid. I took a quick look at the Material Safety Data Sheet for this chemical (which, incidentally, is an industrial waste product containing lead and arsenic among other things). The emergency overview was startling enough – ‘Corrosive. Causes burns. Decomposes when heated with possible emanation of toxic hydrofluoric acid vapours’ – but the subsequent information had me really worried:

Skin Contact:  Remove all contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash skin with soap and large amounts of water for at least 20 minutes. Then rub with calcium gluconate gel.

Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If swallowed wash out mouth with water provided person is conscious.

Eye Contact: Flush with copious amounts of water or saline for at least 20 minutes. Assure adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with fingers.

People handling the product are urged to:

• Use only in a chemical fume hood.
• Wear anti-acid gloves made of rubber, nitrile or butyl
• Chemical safety glasses; in combination with breathing protection. Face shield.
• Overalls adequate for use with acids. Rubber boots
• Not eat, drink or smoke whilst handling product

And there are acute effects just for good measure:

• Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes and skin.
• Inhalation may result in spasm, inflammation and oedema of the larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema.
• Symptoms of exposure may include burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting.
• Symptoms of exposure to inorganic fluorides may include valivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and laboured breathing. Chronic fluorine poisoning can result in sclerosis of the bones. Calcification of ligaments, loss of weight, anorexia, anaemia, dental effects. Ingestion of large doses can cause severe diarrhoea, and cramp-like pains.
• Symptoms may be delayed up to 24 hours depending upon the fluoride ion concentration. Prevention of absorption of the fluoride ion in cases of ingestion can be obtained by giving milk, chewable calcium carbonate tablets or milk of magnesia to conscious victims. Conditions such as hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia and cardiac arrhythmias should be monitored for, since they can occur after exposure.

And as for the environment:

• Accidental spillage would suddenly reduce pH level due to the product’s acidic properties.
• Local disastrous effects are possible.
• Do not discharge into the natural environment.

 

Hydrofluorosilicic Acid is on the list of schedule 7 dangerous poisons which:

• Have high to extremely high toxicity
• Can cause death or severe injury at low exposures
• Require special precautions in their manufacture, handling, or use
• May require special regulations restricting their availability, possession or use
• Are too hazardous for domestic use, or use by untrained persons

And this is what council workers, fresh from minimal training, will be adding to our water supply come December! Are you comfortable with that? If not, get on to your local councillors and tell them to do their job and stop this madness!

Trevor Cooper

June 19, 2010

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