Reference no: EM132295760

Fluoride is put into city water, which we drink. The benefits of fluoride exist primarily in tooth enamel development in children. While higher than suggested fluoride levels by the World Health Organization, it has been determined that permissible levels (approximately 0.8 mg/l) reduce tooth decay and aid in the retention of calcium to strengthen teeth and bones. Fluoride use in dental caries prevention efforts have resulted in significant reduction of dental caries in substantial populations. Alternatively, overexposure to fluoride (greater than approximately 1 mg/l) has been associated with many adverse health effects. The most visible physical defect is enamel fluorosis; the condition is visible through the discernible brown stains and markings on teeth occurs when enamel covering of teeth fail to crystallize properly. A study by the National Research Council, 2006, concluded that severe enamel fluorosis occurs in 10% of children exposed to fluoride concentrations of 4 mg/l. Additional health effects have been reported in various studies and include neurodevelopmental delays in children, dental fluorosis, clinical stage II skeletal fluorosis, and skeletal factures in both children and adults. Prolonged exposure to high levels of fluoride can create severe bone abnormalities which present in crippling deformities. Unfortunately, levels of fluoride are often not monitored or can exceed levels of 0.8 mg/l. a. What are fluoride levels in the water you are drinking? b. Would you change these levels? c. Would you keep fluoride in the water? Why or why not?